Shark attack

[jrberton]

There was a shark attack on a woman from Canada in February. She survived but was badly wounded. This was near the Caribe Park Royal Grand resort in shallow water. Has anyone heard of further shark sightings and what, if anything, has been done to protect the swimmers?

[Johio]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-br...ecovering.html

According to the article, shark attacks are rare in Mexico.

[Princess015690]

JR.. that is old news..

but here is more info, with the news link I believe..

Cancun Shark Attack

[Rudyman]

The tourism group Fonatour is putting life guards every 10 feet approxiametly 10 ft out in the ocean to protect you. Have no fear

[ChrisnCancun]

Originally Posted by Rudyman

The tourism group Fonatour is putting life guards every 10 feet approxiametly 10 ft out in the ocean to protect you. Have no fear

Thats good to know. i figured that this was a freak accident and not the norm. It's nice to see that they are taking it serious though, I'll be there in a couple of weeks and I cant wait to get out into the ocean.

[backs13]

I think any shark attack is terrible and needs to be investigated in case there is a migration trend, however given the thousands upon thousands of swimmers that enter Cancuns waters on a daily basis year round the chance of an attack is so small and less then 1 percent... Your plane landing and taking off safely would probably have a higher percentage of problems.

[Canadian Dos Equis fan]

Originally Posted by backs13

I think any shark attack is terrible and needs to be investigated in case there is a migration trend, however given the thousands upon thousands of swimmers that enter Cancuns waters on a daily basis year round the chance of an attack is so small and less then 1 percent... Your plane landing and taking off safely would probably have a higher percentage of problems.

I plan to cower in fear in the sexy pool by the bar. They can't get me there can they Jim?

[backs13]

Originally Posted by Canadian Dos Equis fan

I plan to cower in fear in the sexy pool by the bar. They can't get me there can they Jim?

No Sir, You will be safe, however Ive heard of many many cougar attacks near there, be aware of your surroundings lol

[ChrisnCancun]

Originally Posted by backs13

No Sir, You will be safe, however Ive heard of many many cougar attacks near there, be aware of your surroundings lol

lol

[Laurie-blueyes]

The woman who was attacked by the shark had to have her arm amputated. See this updated news story...
Shark attack victim recalls 'sea of red' - Toronto - CBC News

[Laurie-blueyes]

Originally Posted by backs13

No Sir, You will be safe, however Ive heard of many many cougar attacks near there, be aware of your surroundings lol

Yes, watch out for those cougars, boys!

[AussieGuy25]

We have shark attacks in Australia every year but that does not stop our beaches from being crowded with people, including myself. I've seen sharks in the surf many times and haven't yet been bitten. Sharks are generally not interested in people & it's usually a case of mistaken identity when they do attack. Contrary to common belief sharks aren't attracted to human blood. You're more likely to be mauled by a dog or involved in a car accident. Don't let the fear of shark attacks prevent you from enjoying your holiday.

P.S. Always swim between the flags & listen to the lifeguards!

[ToriB]

To be honest, sharks are the least of your worries when you enter the waters on the Caribe side of Cancun. I directly know of 5 drownings in the past month at two resorts, three of which have resulted in death. The undertow and currents are SUPPPPER stong. So be more careful of what YOU are doing while out there and not to what could be lurking at your ankles.

[Canadian Dos Equis fan]

Originally Posted by Laurie-blueyes

Yes, watch out for those cougars, boys!

Hey I'm looking already! I need to know how to lure one in lol!

[chasracer01]

that is to bad about the lady & the shark. i feel bad for the shark on steves boobs cruze that is in the cage. when one of the drunk guys on our boat found out it didnt have any teeth that poor shark didnt have a chance. i swear it was screaming rape under water. i would beaware of those cougars.

[CancunCanuck]

While shark attacks are EXTREMELY rare in this area (after the Canadian woman was bit I saw some stats that said there had been 5 or 6 reported attacks in the entire state in the last hundred years.)

That said.....there was another one yesterday......

Shark bites Cancun tourist who ventured into surf despite lifeguard warning - Yahoo! News

If the lifeguard tells you to get out, GET OUT!

[CancunCanuck]

And it appears that everyone jumped the gun on that one, the tourist says they were not attacked by a shark, but that a wave threw them against the rocks....

Descartan ataque de tiburon en playa Gaviota - Grupo SIPSE, sipse.com

[chasracer01]

those damn tourist! cant belive a thing they say or maybe they just sobored up from one of steves famous boob cruzes. lol. anyway that is a good thing for all involved.

[jen***]

Unfortunately it was a shark who bit the Russian lady but she is stable in hospital.

[Scoobie]

Originally Posted by CancunCanuck

And it appears that everyone jumped the gun on that one, the tourist says they were not attacked by a shark, but that a wave threw them against the rocks....

Descartan ataque de tiburon en playa Gaviota - Grupo SIPSE, sipse.com

Unfortunately that is not correct and sounds like an attempt to get the media to down play the attack.

Have a look at the pictures linked below which are pretty much undeniable.

Nuevo ataque de tiburones en Cancún: sorprenden a turista rusa, (fotos-actualización)

..and if If you want it translated:
Google Translate

I am visiting Cancun in July and am now a little nervous.
That's two attacks in a short space of time right next to the beach.
There were three sharks right near the beach in this recent attack (you can see two in the pictures I linked).

There was also an attack in Porto Morelos in the last week.

I know this is uncharacteristic so I am not sure what has changed recently but have heard it may be due to the practice of 'chumming' or feeding sharks to attract them in for dive trips. I have also heard it suggested that the beach restoration may have created a 'channel' they are coming in on.

[ToriB]

I am not trying to be insensitive to anyone, but when you go to any beach in most of the world, you have to be aware of the Ocean and what is lurking in it. Why are you nervous? There have been shark attacks from NJ to FL, California and Hawaii. I wish people would not use these unfortunate happenings as another reason not to come to Cancun. What are the chances of it happening to you? I have been here over a year and have yet to go in the ocean. Honestly, of all the ppl on the beach, I never see a whole lot in the water. It's very sporadic, and I am on the beach at least 6 days a week.

[Princess015690]

im a little hesitant to go in far.. the sharks seem so close to the surf.. I read somewhere the because of the BP Oil spill it is pushing sharks closer to shore lines as well.

[Scoobie]

Originally Posted by ToriB

I am not trying to be insensitive to anyone, but when you go to any beach in most of the world, you have to be aware of the Ocean and what is lurking in it. Why are you nervous? There have been shark attacks from NJ to FL, California and Hawaii. I wish people would not use these unfortunate happenings as another reason not to come to Cancun. What are the chances of it happening to you? I have been here over a year and have yet to go in the ocean. Honestly, of all the ppl on the beach, I never see a whole lot in the water. It's very sporadic, and I am on the beach at least 6 days a week.

Well obviously Zero chance if you don't go in the ocean.

If it's too dangerous to go in the water then that's fine; put signs up on the beach making that clear and those who had the mistaken view that it was a beach destination where they can safely swim can be properly informed that's not the case.

Before these events I think there had been one isolated attack in 20+ years. Now there have been two in the same area in knee-deep water.
The last attack had three sharks sighted right next to the beach.

Seems a cause for concern to me!

I would think it's obvious why that might make me nervous.

I didn't realise that should be considered normal!
Tell me, in the year you have been here have you found it common to see sharks together just off the beach?

I wish I had known that is what I should normally expect before I booked my trip...

[ToriB]

Scoobie, are you being serious? If you would have know about sharks, that habitate in the Ocean all over the world, you may have gone elsewhere? Where, Wisconsin???? And for the record, where the sharks have been spotted, 99% of the time there are red flags flying. That means dangerous waters, be super careful when you enter. And there are signs posted to tell you that.
You took two sentences I wrote and mooshed then together. I do not go in the water. I have not seen a shark with my two eyes and I am there more then most people on these boards as I work on the beaches and at hotel pools. I will reiterate my point.... there are sharks all over the world. If you go to a beach destination, it's safe to assume there are some sharks lurking around somewhere. What are the chances of YOU getting bite? And why should that be your motive to go someplace else?

[backs13]

Originally Posted by ToriB

Scoobie, are you being serious? If you would have know about sharks, that habitate in the Ocean all over the world, you may have gone elsewhere? Where, Wisconsin???? And for the record, where the sharks have been spotted, 99% of the time there are red flags flying. That means dangerous waters, be super careful when you enter. And there are signs posted to tell you that.
You took two sentences I wrote and mooshed then together. I do not go in the water. I have not seen a shark with my two eyes and I am there more then most people on these boards as I work on the beaches and at hotel pools. I will reiterate my point.... there are sharks all over the world. If you go to a beach destination, it's safe to assume there are some sharks lurking around somewhere. What are the chances of YOU getting bite? And why should that be your motive to go someplace else?

I agree with ya Tori, obviously the shark attacks are something to watch for and for Safety panels to look at, however I just read an article that states more 80 people have died in mexico from falling over low railings, thats almost 3 times the number of shark attacks, yet the media focuses on the sharks because of the "Jaws" factor and knowing it will create a buzz. The east coast of the united states has 5 times the attacks of almost any where in the world, yet its Cancun people tend to focus on...

[ToriB]

I can't comment anymore then I do about the number of people that DIE from the current in the very same ocean. People go out for a swim, and they drown. Not paying attention to the flags can and will cost you your life if you are not careful, sober and alert. Sharks are seriously the least of your worry when entering the caribe side of the hz.

[Scoobie]

Originally Posted by ToriB

Scoobie, are you being serious? If you would have know about sharks, that habitate in the Ocean all over the world, you may have gone elsewhere? Where, Wisconsin???? And for the record, where the sharks have been spotted, 99% of the time there are red flags flying. That means dangerous waters, be super careful when you enter. And there are signs posted to tell you that.
You took two sentences I wrote and mooshed then together. I do not go in the water. I have not seen a shark with my two eyes and I am there more then most people on these boards as I work on the beaches and at hotel pools. I will reiterate my point.... there are sharks all over the world. If you go to a beach destination, it's safe to assume there are some sharks lurking around somewhere. What are the chances of YOU getting bite? And why should that be your motive to go someplace else?

Yes I am being serious.
I think you missed the point about the unusual trend of sharks being drawn right up to the beach recently.

Before these recent attacks I had read on lots of forums how they were so rare it could never happen again and how most people (even those who had lived there) had said they had never seen sharks any where near the beach in all the years they live there.

There have now been two (uncharacteristic) attacks in ths same place with a number of sightings of sharks right next to the shore - and all of a sudden it is normal. Someone was also attacked in Porto Morelos last week. Of course I know sharks live in the sea; that doesn't mean I expect them to being sighted and attacking attacking people right off the beach which hasn't happened before.

I beg to differ that this is normal from what I have read (just go and look at previous comments on trip advisor etc by locals and experts etc about sharks) and as such it is a matter of concern as to why this is happening and denotes an extra risk.

So yes I am being serious and can't see why people are so keen to trivialise it.

[Brendaf]

My dear friend Luibov (Luba) needs our help!!! She was bitten by a shark in cancun Mexico last Thursday and is now laying in the cancun hospital general. She is in desperate need of financial donations to pay for a surgery to save her leg. The media made it sound like she had just a small bite but infact it is 2 very large bites on the lower part of her calf. Luba is a 26 year old from Russia that was studying in mexico. She has... no medical insurance as she has been there for over 6 months. She is a very loving, caring, and kind person. She is so full of life. Her passions in life are swimming, running, biking, music, dancing and she is a champion skier so losing her leg would effect her life dramatically. I have never meet anyone more full of life then this beautiful women. The cost of the surgery is 200,000 pesos $17,000 Canadian so anything you can donate for my dear friend would be more than appreciated even $5 would help!!! If you could please talk to your family and friends and share this story maybe they could donate something as well. She has to have this surgery within the next 2 days so please help soon. Her name is Luibov (Luba) Teran she is in the Cancun hospital called the Hospital General or you can contact Jose in Playa at 984-133-2592. I am hoping that if we can get even a small donation that there will be enough caring people that we can make a difference in how this tradgedy turns out. God Bless all of You and may God protect you all. Thanks Brenda

[ToriB]

I got your point, and never did I say it was normal for here in Cancun. I said in general,world wide, and it's something that sits in the back of my head. The weather here has been unseasonably warm for this time of year, it's not normal, but things from time to time change, and we have to accept change.
None of what has happened makes me think vacationing in Cancun is less safe, and I am sure there are people looking into exactly why the sharks have appeared. And possible how to deal with it and not hurt the sharks.

Brendaf, so very sorry to hear about your friend Luba. I hope you can raise as much money as you can so she gets the help she needs. If I had the means, I would certainly help. I will for sure keep her in my thoughts.

[rawkus]

On a side note: The pics show a strong surf and red flags... That, to me, is enough to be extra cautious.

In 4 years of living here, I have never heard of any attacks until now.

These attacks, like the majority of them, seem to be a "mistaken identity", where the shark "tries out" what it encountered. (If only they had hands...)

After the first attack, fishermen massacred over 70 sharks. Im hoping no such retarded action is taken this time.

I hope the lady ends up well, but I also hope that the sharks be left alone.

They inhabit the sea and have done so for "quite a while" - we are the guests.

Ps. Between these two attacks, I know of +7 cases of drowning in the same beaches...