Marine Life Great White takes commercial diver - Chatham Islands, New Zealand

[DandyDon]

Man killed in shark attack near Chatham Islands in New Zealand​

A commercial diver has been killed in a shark attack in New Zealand.
Jade Kahukore-Dixon, 24, was attacked near Chatham Islands, about 800km east of the South Island, on Tuesday.

Local police confirmed a man died in hospital following a shark attack, telling Stuff; “Emergency services were called around midday, following reports the man, who had been diving off a boat, had been critically injured.”

“He was rushed to Chatham Island Hospital but has since died,”

Mr Kahukore-Dixon’s father Jacky Dixon said he had limited information on the incident but believes a great white shark had mauled his son.

Mr Dixon said his son was a “very tough, young fella” who “loved fishing and diving”.

“He would do anything to protect his family. He was an amazing boy, a very much-loved member of the family,” Mr Dixon added.

“I couldn’t believe it. I kept picturing him when he was little. I’m not going to have my son.”

Mr Dixon said his son often saw great white sharks but was unafraid.

After the attack Mr Kahukore-Dixon was taken to Waitangi Wharf before being rushed to hospital.

Chatham Islands mayor Monique Croon said she knew the young man.

“He’s a local boy. He’s well-known, well-liked and this will be devastating for our commercial divers … everybody is in shock,” she toldNewstalk ZB.

“It’s the biggest risk, the biggest fear.”

Mr Kahukore-Dixon was the director of newly formed company Nomad Diving Limited, which was registered in June.

Shark researcher Kina Scollay said shark attacks in the waters surrounding the islands were rare.

The islands are inhabited by about 800 people

 

[Wheeler925]

Sounds like he may have been a commercial diver, but was surfing at the time.

 

[rmorgan]

Sounds like he may have been a commercial diver, but was surfing at the time.

Maybe not . . .

"Commercial diver Jade Kahukore-Dixon was killed on Tuesday while diving"

Fatal shark attack 'super rare' says scientist

Commercial diver Jade Kahukore-Dixon was killed yesterday by a shark.

www.rnz.co.nz

 

[DandyDon]

Sounds like he may have been a commercial diver, but was surfing at the time.

I don't know where you saw surfing mentioned. I checked a dozen or so articles listed on the net and they all mentioned diving from a boat, one stating that he was hit as soon as he hit the water from a boat.

 

[MB NZ]

'Apex predator': Shark expert's warning after diver killed at great white hot spot

Family members have described victim Jade Dixon as 'tough as old boots'.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[lermontov]

i was told there are special rules for commercial paua (abalone) divers in that area - due to the number of great whites they allow the paua take to be done on scuba so to minimise time in the water -normally it has to be done free diving.

I dived with a guy a few year ago that told me the numbers are increasing to the point that they are reluctant to get in the water in some places - all the fishing boats work together to tell each other when a GW is spotted