Fisherman’s close call with 8-foot shark that tried to take his catch: “He wanted my fish too”

Florida’s crystal-clear, warm waters and pristine beaches are renown the world over - they’re just a couple of the many reasons why the Sunshine State attracted a record 143 million visitors last year alone.

However, while tourist numbers are rising, so are unprovoked attacks on humans by one of nature’s most feared predators - sharks.

Florida’s coastline is home to over 40 different shark species - most of them are harmless to humans, occasionally inflicting bites more out of curiosity than looking for a meal. But some species such as the Bull and Tiger sharks are unpredictable, dangerous and have been known to attack swimmers, causing lacerations or bite marks to arms, legs and sometimes biting off limbs, hands... etc.

On average, Florida reports between 20 and 25 shark attacks every year but fatalities are rare (the odds of it happening are 1 in 4,000) - the last death was in February 2010.

Shark attack leaves fisherman hospitalized

A lot of attacks have left victims seriously maimed, many with life-changing injuries.

Earlier this month, one intrepid, young fisherman found himself face to face with a hungry Bull shark which ended up taking a chunk out of his leg.

Chance Armand was spearfishing in waters off Pensacola on August 2 when the predator struck.

He recalled the terrifying experience to USA Today “It was just after noon. He grabbed my knee then let go and grabbed the fish off of my shaft. It 100% was going for the fish I had shot.

“By the time I acknowledged he wasn’t gonna turn around, it was too late,” he continued. “I didn’t really have time to, you know, react otherwise besides put my knee between myself and the shark, and thankfully, once he got a bite of my knee and realized that’s not what he was after, he turned around and swam back down”.

The shark sank its teeth into the 28-year-old’s left leg, ripping open the flesh. Fortunately his quick-thinking friends hauled him inside the boat and made a makeshift tourniquet using a a t-shirt and speargun band which was applied to his wound to stop him from bleeding to death.

No serious damage

Armand was rushed to a local hospital where he had the wound disinfected and dressed. From his hospital bed, he gave an update on social media: “Spicy Bull shark decided he wanted my fish too on my way up from a dive today. Couldn’t have asked for better people to help me out in the moment. Love what we do but definitely a reminder to soak up every moment with your family and friends because a routine day can be your last.”

Chance had a lucky escape, emerging shocked but relatively unscathed - the shark bite hadn’t severed any arteries or damaged tendons: “It’s just one giant, gnarly flesh wound,” he reported.

In Florida, shark attacks peak during summer months and early fall when water temperatures rise between 75°F and 85°F. The hours between dawn and dusk is when sharks hunt near the shore and increase the chances of an attack. Great White sharks enter Floridian waters in the winter months during migration.

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