CANADIAN SHARK ATTACK REGISTRY

Possible shark bite on surfer at Tofino

Case number: 23
Date: 2012-07-19
Location: Tofino, British Columbia
Incident type: Attack on surfer with bite or slash — Code: HR
Species: Unknown
Possible cause(s): None apparent
Result: Injury to a finger.
Status: Unconfirmed — No evidence¹
Description: Surfer claims to have been bitten on a finger by a shark while surfing at Tofino. The victim thought her board leash had snagged her hand until her doctor suggested a bite from a salmon shark.

Assessment: Based on the lack of evidence, the nature of the wound as described by the media, and the known behaviour and distribution of sharks in British Columbia, there is no obvious culprit, let alone any certitude that the injury was inflicted by a shark. The bite wound is uncharacteristic of a white shark. The salmon shark, which is rare at the location, is a fish eater and has never been associated with any attack on a human. Sixgills are not known to venture into the surf zone. Spiny dogfish, which are too small to attack marine mammals, have never been implicated in any attack on a human.

Note: This unconfirmed incident is posted to show that we are aware of the report but cannot validate the claimed attack.

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References:
¹ Injured surfer’s shark-bite diagnosis met with skepticism. The Globe and Mail. 24.07.2012. Online.
(Background) Surfers at Chesterman Beach, Tofino. Photo by Nicolas L. Lauzon (CC BY 2.5)
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Misrepresented and misunderstood, sharks play a critical role in North Atlantic ecosystems, but they are under increasing threat due to their unfair reputation, pollution, and a lack of public awareness. Please donate to help us study and protect the sharks of the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Canada before it’s too late.Donations to ORS, an all-volunteer charitable not-for-profit organisation, are tax deductible in Canada. Canada Revenue Agency #834462913RR0001

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Misrepresented and misunderstood, sharks play a critical role in North Atlantic ecosystems, but they are under increasing threat due to their unfair reputation, pollution, and a lack of public awareness. Please donate to help us study and protect the sharks of the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Canada before it’s too late.Donations to ORS, an all-volunteer charitable not-for-profit organisation, are tax deductible in Canada. Canada Revenue Agency #834462913RR0001

DONATE

“Fear and indifference bite deeper than any shark.”— Jeffrey Gallant, St. Lawrence Shark ObservatoryTax deductible in Canada
CRA #834462913RR0001DONATE