Lionfish Culler Bitten by Nurse Shark, Grand Cayman

[chillyinCanada]

Nurse sharks can cause significant tissue damage and have a reputation for being extremely persistent and also for not releasing after they bite something.

This is second hand info, but I had good friends who reported that their female neighbor was diving in a swim suit and suffered an unprovoked attack and required skin graph(s) on her butt. The particular shark had developed an aggressive behavior (for some reason) and had gone after other divers previously.

Nurse sharks are generally not a problem if you don't mess with them (or feed them), but they are not something to trivialize.

I don't trivialize them and though amused the time they swam bumping my legs, I was not amused in the least when the nurse shark ducked my finger. I was extremely grateful that it realized its mistake so quickly.

Neither was I amused the time that I found myself completely straddle a very large nurseshark on a night dive. I was ever so grateful that it seemed not to even notice that I was there at all. Couldn't get myself free fast enough.

Though I'll admit that it has made for a very entertaining story since then.. yeah, ride 'em

 

[Snoweman]

There's a longer video of this guy, but this is what I found. I was told by a dive op that he was kicked off the island for posting. I'll take the flaming, but I don't understand what he did wrong - other than not get bit.

 

[caydiver]

I don’t think they should be trivialized at all. I am amazed that anyone would basically tease any animal with food and be surprised when that animal continued to try to get at the food. Once the shark was seen to be interested and went so far as to bump the individual carrying the can, common sense have prevailed. Forget about the contest and take other actions. Had it been a surprise attack I would feel totally differently, however when you are ringing the dinner bell and unwanted guests appear and are showing interest, it is time to stop ringing the bell. The sharks and other marine animal are being conditioned by “cullers” to recognize the lionfish as an easy meal. They don’t get the memo saying hey guys, today is a contest so nothing for you. Local restaurants pay good money for lionfish all year around. Making it a game is simply not necessary.

 

[KathyV]

I am reminded of this video from a couple of years ago when a Dive Instructor on Cayman Brac pulled out a knife stuck into the head of a nurse shark. He was a local dive professional and it is clear from his actions that he realized the risk of approaching an injured, wild animal. Both the risk of spooking the animal and the risk of injury to himself. I am very glad that he was able to help the poor creature but he was taking a chance.

 

[martincohn]

It is not absolutely necessary to die in order to be issued a Darwin Award. There are several living recipients who have survived the events that led to their recognition. They simply managed to remove themselves from the gene pool permanently. Think of the underwear bomber, side saddle trapeze artists, fireworks experimenters, and various other practitioners of actions which could result in sterility.

Now if someone survived a nurse shark attack and fit this category, now THAT would make an interesting story!

To hear from someone else.

 

[martincohn]

There's a longer video of this guy, but this is what I found. I was told by a dive op that he was kicked off the island for posting. I'll take the flaming, but I don't understand what he did wrong - other than not get bit.

Littering?

 

[drrich2]

I was told by a dive op that he was kicked off the island for posting. I'll take the flaming, but I don't understand what he did wrong - other than not get bit.

Maybe triggering shark fear in a destination that gets money from dive tourism? Just a guess, open to other interpretations.

 

[KathyV]

There's a longer video of this guy, but this is what I found. I was told by a dive op that he was kicked off the island for posting. I'll take the flaming, but I don't understand what he did wrong - other than not get bit.

Littering?

Maybe triggering shark fear in a destination that gets money from dive tourism? Just a guess, open to other interpretations.

Maybe he wasn't registered or complying with all the rules, lionfish culling practices are regulated in Cayman, see the link below:

https://www.divetech.com/lionfish

 

[caydiver]

It is not cheap for companies to pay for work permits for any employees. Couple that with the fact that individuals come and may not like it. A small company is out of pocket for the permit, the time getting medical and pension arranged and fined if it isn’t cancelled on a timely basis not to mention replacing the individual. People (unless they are criminals) do not just get tossed off the island whatever industry they are in. Dive ops and other service industry providers would be bankrupted if that was the case.