First Fatal Shark Attack of 2023

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

The first fatal shark attack of 2023 has been reported in Mexico. Manuel Lopez was scuba diving Jan. 5 for mollusks in Tobari Bay when he was killed by a 19-foot (6m) great white shark.

Lopez was using a surface supplied air source as is common for divers in the area. Surface supplied air is essentially a scuba set up but without tanks. Instead, a compressor pumps air to the diver via a collection of hoses connected to the diver along with ropes, with the diver often pulling the boat along the surface using their tethered supply lines.

The diver was collecting ax tripe, a mollusk like a scallop. The mollusks, which are found at a depth of 36 to 59 feet (11 to 18 m) locally, are pulled from the ocean floor which generates turbulence and sounds that could attract sharks.

Local contacts said Lopez was diving in the open ocean around 11:30 a.m. with two tenders onboard the boat when he was attacked by an estimated 19-foot (6m) white shark.

“He was diving when the animal attacked him, impressively ripping off his head and biting both shoulders,” said Jose Bernal, speaking for the fisherman.

Bernal added that local divers had been warned about the presence of sharks in the area and most had not been out for several days.

The shortage of seafood has created a demand and with his economic future at stake, Lopez chose to dive.

Thousands of anglers have been staying onshore due to the presence of large white sharks. A stipend of 7,200 pesos per year is available to fisherman to supplement their incomes. However, the amount is not livable when there is no income coming in from the sea.

White sharks migrate to the area in December and January

White sharks are most prevalent in the Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, during December and January when pregnant female sharks enter the area. The sharks will often search for fat-filled sea lions to feed upon due to their high caloric count.

Several anglers have stated that they have inadvertently caught sea lions in their fishing nets. In several cases when they have a sea lion, white sharks will often approach their boats as they are pulling in their nets. The sharks will patrol until the sea lions are released and then feed or hunt the pinniped, leaving the nets and boat alone.

Some fishing organizations are calling for the government to purchase shark shields or other devices that emit electrical impulses that have been shown to deter white sharks. In addition, some local biologists have recommended divers not wear black wetsuits as they can make the wearer look like a seal. They have also suggested painting white stripes on the suits to replicate the pattern of the poisonous coral snake.

Another recommendation is to wear a second scuba mask on the back of the head. The theory behind this is sound. Sharks are ambush predators, they could be less likely to strike if they believe intended prey is watching them.

Another diver was killed by a white shark in the area in 2022.

Victor Estrella, 56, was diving for scallops Feb. 12 off Sonora, Mexico, when he was killed. He was also using a surface supplied air source. His diving tender saw the hoses moving erratically and began pulling his partner from the seabed. As Estrella neared the surface, the tender had to fight off a large white shark that was biting his friend.

Unfortunately, the shark fatally wounded the man.

In December 2018, another diver was killed as he jumped in the water.

Nahum Aguilera was killed shortly after he entered the water. His friends saw him floating on the surface and were afraid he was having a medical emergency. When they attempted to pull him onboard, they realized a shark had severed his left leg, torn open his abdomen, and severely injured his right thigh.

In addition to the fatal injuries, it also appeared he had a dislocated shoulder and injuries on his left hand indicate he may have tried to fight the shark.

All locations are marked on the 2023 Shark Attack Map.

White shark image @Elias Levy CC 2.0