A kitesurfer was bitten by a shark in French Polynesia.
The unidentified man was in the waters of Huahine, which is an island located among the Society Islands, February 20.
Around 4 p.m. a suspected blacktip shark grabbed the man’s lower leg.
The 21-year old received treatment at the hospital in Uturoa and was later transferred to Taaone for surgery on the approximately 15 cm long wound to his Achilles tendon.
This is the seventh shark attack bite of 2014.
The location has been marked on the 2014 Shark Attack Map.
Luc Monté, who is the father of the victim, gave a testimony to Radio Polynèsie 1èr.
Blacktip shark have been know to show curiosity towards divers, but normally remain at a safe distance. Due to their small size and timidness, they are not regarded as highly dangerous to humans. However, they can become aggressive in the presence of food.
The International Shark Attack File lists 28 unprovoked attacks (one fatal) and 13 provoked attacks by this species since 2008. Blacktip sharks are responsible for approximately 16% of the shark attacks on Florida’s east coast. The majority of the bites are single bites that result in minor wounds.
