Shark attacks on humans are phenomena often described by wildlife experts as rare, but related incidents worldwide have seemingly occurred more frequently than observed in the past. In Hawaii, fatal shark encounters have been recorded since the late 20th century. These attacks happened even in shallow waters where victims are known to have engaged in different activities like surfing, snorkeling, and spearfishing.
Recently, a Hawaii shark attack incident led to the death of Tamayo Perry, a lifeguard and a former professional surfer. Perry was also known as an actor from "The Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise and other Hollywood movies, including "Blue Crush." Reports in recent days indicate that the 49-year-old died from an apparent shark attack in the waters off the island of Oahu, Hawaii, in the Central Pacific Ocean.
Hawaii Shark Attack
(Photo : Photo by Gerald Schömbs on Unsplash)
It was Sunday, June 23, when Perry was attacked and bitten multiple times by a shark while swimming near Goat Island. Local emergency responders brought the victim to shore but was pronounced dead already. The recent Hawaii shark attack happened when the said lifeguard was surfing during his shift break on Oahu's North Shore, according to local reports.
Due to the renewed threat, the recent marine animal attack has sparked safety issues in Oahu and other parts of the US island state. According to the Hawaii State Government, there have been three recorded Oahu shark attacks incidents in 2024 alone so far. Two out of the three cases resulted in lacerations to the victims with no reported deaths. Details of the encounters are based on witnesses and/or evidence.
In late December 2023, a fatal shark attack occurred in the waters of Maui, Hawaii. The male victim lost his left leg after being ambushed by an unknown shark species (measuring 8-10 feet in length) approximately 150 years from the shore. In December 2022, a woman also died while snorkeling in Hawaii after an unidentified shark species attacked her.
Also Read: Tiger Shark Attacking Small Kayak Off Hawaii Coast Caught on Video
Is Hawaii Safe to Swim?
Hawaii is known as one of the most well-known vacation destinations and surfing hotspots in the world. According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, there were approximately 9 million visitors to the island state in 2022 alone. However, the Hawaiian Islands also pose natural risks for visiting tourists, ranging from wildfires to volcanic eruptions, flash flooding, hurricanes, and unprovoked shark attacks.
While oceans in general can be a dangerous place for both experienced and inexperienced swimmers, marine hazards can still be avoided. Aside from sharks, dangerous ocean conditions like large waves and water currents are also life-threatening risks. According to Hawaiian authorities, below are some of the ocean safety tips that an individual should apply:
- Before swimming, check for potential ocean hazards such as rip currents, rocks, and shore breaks.
- Only engage in water activities when a lifeguard is present.
- Swim with a companion and know your limits.
Related Article: Man Dies In Maui After Shark Attack; Higher Number of Attacks Observed In Hawaii From October To December