World News – UA – Man in critical condition after shark attack on Great Barrier Reef north of Townsville

A man is in critical condition after being attacked by a shark at the Great Barrier Reef

He was airlifted to Townsville University Hospital after being bitten at Britomart Reef around 12 Sunday at 8 p.m., the Queensland ambulance says

The area, off the North Queensland coast, about 150 km north of Townsville, is a popular spear fishing spot

#Update – Patient airlifted in critical condition to Townsville hospital following shark bite in #Lucinda

Seven Australians have died in unprovoked shark attacks this year – more than any year since 1934

Although the total number of shark bites is in line with the annual average for the past decade, it has prompted experts to question whether the La Niña weather event, associated with higher sea surface temperatures cool in central Pacific, could impact sharks for prey

According to the Australian Shark Attack File, it’s been 86 years since six people last died of unprovoked shark bites in a single year

In 1929 nine people died from unprovoked shark bites in Australia – a record that preceded the debate over the introduction of the first shark nets to Australian beaches several years later

There have been 18 unprovoked shark bites so far in 2020, one more than last year and the same as in 2018 In 2015 there were 22

In January, an experienced diver, 57, Gary Johnson, was killed by a shark near Esperance in Western Australia, and in April, a 23-year-old ranger, Zachary Robba, was killed by a shark off the Great Barrier Reef

In June, Rob Pedretti, 60, died after being bitten by a shark while surfing in north New South Wales, and in July a teenager died of a bite from shark while surfing on another beach in the area

While surfing is not considered to cause a shark, the death of a 36-year-old man while underwater fishing off Fraser Island in Queensland in July is believed to be the result from an induced bite, because the release of fish blood attracts sharks

Shark Attack, Great Barrier Reef, Townsville, Sharks, Britomart Reef, Queensland, Coral Reef