A surfer was bitten by a great white shark at Port Alfred, South Africa.
Dusty Phelan was off East Beach July 10 around 10:30 a.m. when a shark bit his leg twice
“The surfer was bitten on the leg by what appeared to be a juvenile white shark.” Craig Lambinon, a spokesperson for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).
Reports indicate the shark bit once and returned to bite Phelan a second time on the leg.
Phelan, believed to be in his early 20s, was able to return to the beach and walk out of the water. He was transported to the hospital by ambulance and currently is in stable condition.
A GoGetFunding page has been set up to help with medical bills.
The beach has been closed until further notice and an advisory has been posted for kayakers and other ocean users. There have been reports that large gatherings of sardines, called sardine runs, are present in the area.
The sardines ball up in large groups with hundreds of the fish during the run, attracting predators which feed on the small fish.
Surfers and other water users are advised against approaching sardine balls or other feeding fish. While it is beautiful to observe, it is best done so from the shore or using a drone.
If ocean goers spot any feeding fish, it’s best to exit the water as there are likely sharks in the area as well.
There have been a total of 44 shark attack bites (41 with injury, 11 of which are considered provoked*) publicly reported and verified in 2019. Five fatal**
All locations have been marked on the 2019 Shark Attack Map.
21 were reported in the U.S. (including one fatal), with 7 occurring in Florida (3 provoked), 7 in Hawaii (1 provoked,1 fatal) and 2 in California (1 no injury). Nine have been reported in Australia, zero fatal. Four unconfirmed bites, worldwide, not included in the total count.
