Shark Attack Victim Allowed To Keep Great White’s Tooth

In 2015 Chris Blowes was attacked by a great white shark. The incident happened while he was surfing near Port Lincoln in South Australia. The shark bit off Chris’s leg and left one of its teeth lodged in the board.

To avoid $100,000 or two years in prison, Chris gave the tooth to the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, SA (PIRSA). According to the state’s Fisheries Management Act, it is illegal to possess, sell or purchase any part of the protected species.

The rule is set so that groups don’t actively go out and kill a great white so that they can get a set of jaws. In this case, however, PIRSA has allowed Chris Blowes to keep the tooth he once willing turned in to the authorities.

According to ABC:

David Basham, the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, said, “Chris has been through a hugely traumatic experience, and I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help.”

Chris admits it was a steep price to pay for the item, but there’s no doubt it holds more meaning than a cheap giftshop memento.