Woman attacked by shark in popular Southland bay

A Frenchwoman has a deep wound on the back of her leg and severe lacerations to the rest of her body after a shark bit her near a popular surf spot in Southland.

Catlins Surf School owner Nick Smart said the woman was conscious during the attack, which took place at Curio Bay yesterday.

The victim remained calm as her friends dragged her out of the water.

‘‘There was not a large amount of blood, but it’s a pretty good gash and she’ll certainly need some stitches,’’ Smart said

He saw something was ‘‘not right’’ from his property nearby, and noticed a person was running up the beach screaming for help. He jumped in his car and sped to the scene.

Smart had hired bodyboards to the woman, along with her friend, earlier in the day. He did not see the shark attack but said the group was ‘‘obviously distressed’’ afterwards.

The Otago Rescue Helicopter flew the woman to Dunedin Hospital about 3.40pm.

A St John Ambulance spokesman confirmed that the attack had taken place in the Catlins about 2pm. He described the woman’s injuries as being ‘‘moderate’’.

Riverton Surf School owner and operator Jess Terrill said the attack was unusual in the Southland surfing community.

‘‘Especially in Western Australia, it would be pretty usual. It’s what you would expect there, but not here in New Zealand.’’

Department of Conservation marine scientist and shark expert Clinton Duffy said it was likely that a broadnose sevengill shark was responsible for the attack.

‘‘They’re very common in shallow beaches and in surf zones in Southland and New Zealand’s southern zones at this time of year.’’

Duffy said the sevengill – known to grow up to three metres’ long – was an ‘‘opportunist’’ feeder, supplementing its main diet of fish with seals and carrion.

‘‘Normally, they’re just curious; when they’re investigating objects in the water, they will either bump or bite them. If it tastes good, they’ll come back for another bite.’’

When compared with other sharks, though, they presented less of a risk.

‘‘They’re a much more sluggish species than others and can be deterred a lot more easily.’’

Duffy said although there were generally ‘‘one or two’’ similar incidents every year, New Zealand had one of the world’s lowest shark attack rates for a coastal country.