CSIRO to help identify shark attack species

SCIENTISTS will try to assist authorities to determine the shark species that pulled a child from a boat in a horror attack off Tasmania’s North-West coast, as fishing experts warn of recent shark sightings in state waters.

A 10-year-old boy received lacerations and cuts to his head, chest and arm last week when a shark leapt from deep waters near Stanley and pulled him from the 6m boat in which he was fishing with his father and two others.

Investigations into the incident are continuing this week after family members of the fishers denied reports they were cleaning fish when the shark attacked.

The boy’s grandfather David Arnott said the child’s life vest along with boat photos had been sent to the CSIRO, which he hoped would reveal answers.

A CSIRO spokesman said scientists were “assisting authorities regarding the incident and will not make comments under that arrangement”.

“CSIRO will not be conducting our own investigations in relation to the incident as this is not our role,” he said.

It comes as Tasmanian fishing experts warn of the presence of great white sharks off Tasmania’s northern coast line.

Tasmanian shark researcher Chris Black said great white sharks do not live in Tasmanian waters, but pass by year-round.

CSIRO research shows an estimated 750-1200 adult great white sharks in eastern Australian coastal waters.

Stuart Blackwell of Scenic Fishing Charters said he had a close encounter with a great white shark while swimming near Mount William National Park in the state’s northeast last November.

“It was my first swim of the dive season and I looked up and saw a white shark swimming over me,” he said.

“It put fear inside of me, especially being alone. I’ve seen plenty of mako sharks over the years, but it was the first time I’d seen a great white.”

Experienced Tasmanian fisher and Fishtas.com owner Carl Hyland said he had seen about a dozen white pointers in Tasmanian waters over a 40-year fishing career.

He said fishermen in the North-West had made numerous reports of a 6m great white sighting near Montagu Island. “Some of the locals have given it the name Montagu,” he said.

“There is no conclusive proof to say sharks like this hang around, but from I’ve seen, I think they do.”