Stab Magazine | A Shark Breaks Through The Nets In Reunion And Attacks A 21-Year-Old Surfer

Early Access For Stab Premium Members Live Now — Episode 1 of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

324 Views

A Shark Breaks Through The Nets In Reunion And Attacks A 21-Year-Old Surfer

The first of the year. Surfing may have returned to the waters of Reunion Island, but the sharks haven’t left.

news // Aug 30, 2016
Words by Stab
Reading Time: < 1 minute

After a relatively quiet year on Réunion Island, tragedy has struck again when a 21-year-old surfer was attacked by a shark at a beach near Boucan-Canot.

It’s been reported that the victim, who has yet to be identified, suffered major injuries to his left arm and right foot. He was airlifted via helicopter to a trauma center in Saint-Denis for treatment. After a deadly few years on the Indian Ocean island, this is the first attack on Réunion Island this year.

Last year new shark barriers were installed around Boucan-Canot, but on Saturday morning boating and swimming were officially prohibited after authorities made an early-morning inspection and found the barrier to be non-operational. With ample swell in the water, the nets weren’t functioning as intended, thus the water was closed. Local authorities announced that they were considering fishing for the shark in local waters.

In 2015 there were 47 sharks caught in Réunion Island. It is currently home to 13 percent of the world’s fatal shark attacks. Between 2011 and there were 2015 there were 18 people attacked and seven fatalities. 

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Italo And Filipe Lost, But Surfing Won Today

No shortage of excellence on Day Two at Lowers.

Jun 11, 2025

Opinion: Griffin vs Filipe Was A Masterclass In Surfing & Judging

And the exact reason Lowers is on tour.

Jun 11, 2025

How Politics Canceled A WSL Pro Junior Event In The Basque Country

The Israel-Palestine conflict hits surfing.

Jun 11, 2025

Wait, Is Lowers A Left?

Day One of the Lexus June Gloom Pro is wrapped, and Kelly's free for drinks.

Jun 11, 2025

Stab Interview: The Secret Lives Of Keith Malloy

On surf films, big waves, sibling bonds, and stunt-doubling for Matthew McConaughey.

Jun 9, 2025

Why Kelly Slater’s Favorite Wave Isn’t Producing More Pro Surfers

A critical analysis of the Soup Bowl surf community.

Jun 8, 2025

CT Watch: Jacob Willcox And Francisca Veselko Rattle The Cage

Where you begin is where you return: The Newcastle SURFEST.

Jun 8, 2025

Stab High And The Unfortunate Inevitability Of The C-Word 

Does surfing have a culture after all? 

Jun 8, 2025

Jordy Smith Is World #1, Kelly Slater Is A Wildcard, And… Ethan Ewing Is Trying Californian Surfboards?

Your 2025 Lower Trestles CT preview.

Jun 7, 2025

Tom Lowe Suffers Second Near-Fatal Injury at Teahupo’o In 14 Months

Sage Burke and Kala Grace tell the story straight.

Jun 6, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 1

Our first loser goes home in this "king of the hill" showdown.

Jun 6, 2025

The Return of Surf100: Raw, Unfiltered, Serialized

Seven challenges across California before the OG 100 minute final.

Jun 5, 2025

Snow Bros, A Former WSL CEO, And The Multimillion Dollar Fight To Govern Surfing In America 

"This decision could have massive, cascading, and irreversible consequences," says the CEO of USA Surfing. 

Jun 4, 2025

Everything You Need To Know About The Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

8 surfers. 8 challenges. $100,000.

Jun 4, 2025

Coming Soon: Stab in the Dark X

Dear Diary, May was a good month.

Jun 3, 2025

If The Challenger Series Is The Answer, What Is The Question?

Surfing’s middle child returns: the 2025 CS preview.

Jun 2, 2025

The WSL Just Gave The Kids A Steak Knife

The Challenger Series gets a run at Pipeline, and a double-take at Newcastle.

Jun 2, 2025

Mason Ho Follows MP’s Trail, Discovers The Delicate Art Of Not Getting Arrested

"That’s it. We’re cooked. I just told the boys this lane was mine, now I’m…

May 31, 2025
Advertisement