French Surfer bitten by shark in Noosa, Australia

Helmut Nickel, Shark Year Magazine,
06. February 2013

According to ‘Surf Session’, Matthieu Cassaigne (a long-term visitor from Montpellier, France) was attacked by a shark while surfing near Noosa in Queensland state on Australia’s eastern coast.

The incident happened on Friday, January 25th. He escaped with minor injuries to his upper chest and neck.

The victim is reporting that he was resting on the surfboard (lying on his back ) when the attack occurred. The shark grabbed the bottom of the board. Its upper jaw teeth bit on his neck, missing the jugular vein by a hair.

Matthieu immediately swam to shore, leaving his surfboard behind. Under shock and scared, he took his bag and wanted to get the next bus home. But his friend recognised the seriousness of the injuries and went with him to hospital.

Noosa is covered by Queensland’s Shark Control Program. Two shark prevention nets and three drumlines are installed at this beach.

Source: surf session.
Photo Credit: Matthieu Cassaigne

Matthieu Cassaigne_AUS Jan2013_2

4 Comments

  1. Angel

    A very unlucy interaction and a very lucky surfer.Matthieu has given more days to live for sure.
    This is an example of a non effective net system. This is a protected area on paper with nets and drumlines. This type of protection is just killing every animal in the ocean without any differenciation without an actual protection to the people. People feel safe and act relaxed in a place where 1/3 of the sharks are trapped between the nets and shore where they swim or surf. They are not alarmed because they think they are safe.
    Matthieu, was lucky, I hope every other person on that beach will be as lucky as him the next time.

    • Jack Trevally

      Angel, you are absolutely correct on all counts. Nets are a poor ‘protection’ for humans, and cause untold destruction of the marine environment. This man was very lucky indeed. His injuries could have been much worse.

  2. Mark

    God was watching out for all involved here. The shark survived the nets and drum lines and Matthieu survived the bite.  I understand his wanting to immediately return home but I would wager that he comes back.  Those who interact most with nature appreciate it the most, not the policy makers who don’t respect anything about the balance of life. 

  3. Lana

    It is very odd or maybe not that the Australian press has not covered this Incident. I know weeks prior the media was reporting on shark harrassing people at this location.

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