Incident Report
Wobbegong Encounter During Diving in Hamelin Bay, Western Australia
hamelin bay, Western Australia·Australia
A 34-year-old male diver sustained minor lacerations to the calf during a diving incident in Hamelin Bay, Western Australia in January 1998. The encounter involved a 2.4-meter wobbegong shark.
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Incident Profile
Individual
Location
Description
In January 1998, a diving incident occurred in Hamelin Bay, Western Australia, located in a bay-to-open-ocean environment. A 34-year-old male diver came into contact with a wobbegong shark approximately 2.4 meters in length. The encounter resulted in non-fatal injuries, with the diver sustaining minor lacerations to the calf. Wobbegongs are benthic sharks that typically inhabit shallow coastal waters and reef environments. While they are generally considered docile, contact incidents can occur, particularly in shared diving spaces. The diver's injuries were minor in nature, and the incident was recorded as a non-fatal outcome.