Incident Report
Spearfisher Injured by Whitetip Reef Shark at St Crispins Reef, Queensland
port douglas, st crispins reef, Queensland·Australia
A 44-year-old male spearfisher sustained major lacerations to his arm during an encounter with a 1.5-meter whitetip reef shark at St Crispins Reef near Port Douglas, Queensland in December 2005.
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Incident Profile
Individual
Location
Description
In December 2005, a spearfishing incident occurred at St Crispins Reef near Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia. A 44-year-old male spearfisher was injured by a whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) measuring approximately 1.5 meters in length. The incident resulted in major lacerations to the victim's arm. The spearfisher was engaged in pelagic ocean spearfishing when the interaction with the reef shark occurred. The victim survived the encounter and received medical treatment for the injuries sustained. Whitetip reef sharks are typically docile species found in shallow tropical and subtropical waters, though they may investigate or defend resources in their environment.