Incident Report
Swimmer Injured by Wobbegong at Wategos Beach, Byron Bay
byron bay, wategos beach, New South Wales·Australia
A 65-year-old male swimmer sustained teeth marks to his foot from a 1-meter wobbegong at Wategos Beach in Byron Bay, New South Wales, in May 2013. The incident resulted in non-fatal injuries.
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Incident Profile
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Description
In May 2013, a swimming incident occurred at Wategos Beach near Byron Bay on the New South Wales coast. A 65-year-old male swimmer was injured by a wobbegong shark measuring approximately 1 meter in length. The swimmer sustained teeth marks to his foot during the encounter. The wobbegong, a genus of carpet sharks commonly found in Australian waters, typically inhabit coastal areas and sandy seafloors. The incident resulted in non-fatal injuries to the swimmer. Wobbegongs are generally considered docile creatures, though they may bite defensively if stepped on or threatened. This incident highlights the importance of awareness when swimming in coastal areas where these species are present.