Another Shark Attack at Reunion Island

Eddy Chaussalet seen surfing. Source: Facebook

On June 1st, Reunion Island suffered its 17th shark attack in 3 years when a 47-year-old surfing local, Eddy Chaussalet, was bit on the arm by a bull shark. Suffering lacerations and blood loss, Chaussalet was able to get out of the water and receive assistance from emergency personel.

Of the 17 attacks at Reunion, 7 have been fatal. Most recently, in April 2015, 13-year-old local grom, Elio Canestri, was killed. Four weeks prior a swimmer was also taken in a fatal incident.

Reunion Island, located east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean has placed a ban on surfing and swimming in response to the attacks, which has put a huge dent in its surf-tourism.

In 2011 there were 1,600 licensed surfers living on Reunion, today there are only 400 and of the 14 surf schools only one remains.

Residents have called for a shark cull to help win back tourists though government officials have not committed to doing so. The public sentiment is opposite to Western Australia which has also seen an umber of fatalities in its waters. Despite this, citizen protests call to end a government mandated shark cull near the shore.

This video report from 2014 sums up the story well.