Incident Report
Diver Injured by Wobbegong at Watermans Beach, Perth
perth, watermans beach, Western Australia·Australia
A 20-year-old female diver sustained minor lacerations to the thigh during an encounter with a 0.7-meter wobbegong at Watermans Beach, Perth, Western Australia in March 1985.
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Incident Profile
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Description
In March 1985, a diving incident occurred at Watermans Beach in Perth, Western Australia, involving a wobbegong shark. The 20-year-old female diver sustained minor lacerations to the thigh during the encounter. The wobbegong responsible measured approximately 0.7 meters in length. Wobbegongs are bottom-dwelling sharks found in Australian coastal waters, characterized by their flattened bodies and camouflaged patterning. Despite their potentially defensive nature when disturbed, serious injuries from wobbegongs remain uncommon. The diver's injuries were classified as non-fatal, with treatment of minor lacerations being the extent of medical intervention required. This incident reflects the relatively low incidence of severe shark interactions in Australian waters and the typically defensive rather than predatory nature of wobbegong encounters with humans.