A bloodless reunion

Despite a flurry of shark attacks on the idyllic French protectorate of Reunion Island over the last 18 months, American surfers Eric Geiselman and Sebastian Zietz managed to pick off a few waves there. This clip shows you exactly why this island holds such sway in the minds’ of surfers, and why three hundred locals boardriders recently marched on city hall demanding protection from the hungry Bull Sharks that have been wreaking havoc in the surrounding waters. Since the beginning of 2011 there have been three fatalities and several more attacks off Reunion Island. In the last two weeks, a 22 year old surfer was killed after his leg was bitten off and this weekend a forty year old surfer had his hand and foot severed. A furore erupted  last week between animal rights groups and the French government, when a local mayor on Reunion Island declared open season on sharks in the surrounding waters, even offering to pay fishermen to fish them out. Just days later, he was forced to reverse the decision after pressure from the French government.