Great white shark bites off head of Colorado diver in first fatal attack of 2023
SONORA, MEXICO: The first great white shark attack of 2023 occurred on Thursday, January 5 when a diver named Manuel Lopez, who was harvesting shellfish off the coast of Mexico, was beheaded by the marine beast measuring 19 feet.
Lopez, 53, was collecting axe tripe, a type of mollusk, near Benito Juárez in Sonora, on the west coast of Mexico, when the horrifying incident happened, according to Tracking Sharks. He was reportedly from Paredón, Colorado, and was diving to the ocean floor without a tank of oxygen in order to catch the critters, which typically inhabit at the depths of 36 to 59 feet. Lopez's diving excursion was cut short when the shark completely bit off his head. Eyewitness Jose Bernal stated, "He was diving when the animal attacked him, impressively ripping off his head and biting both shoulders," as reported by Tracking Sharks.
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This incident comes after a rise in local shark sightings, which has fisherman in the area on high alert. Bernal stated, "Local divers had been warned about the presence of sharks in the area, and most had not been out for several days."
Lopez, who apparently needed money, saw the shellfish shortage as an opportunity to make a killing. He reportedly made the decision to set out for his last fishing expedition, disregarding the cautions. The reason the apex predator attacked is unknown, however Tracking Sharks reported that the shark may have been lured to Lopez's mollusk-harvesting activity due to the turbulence and noises Lopez was making.
People wearing wetsuits are commonly mistaken for seals, which can lead to "experimental" shark bites. Even though the creatures normally move on once they realize the victim isn't their preferred prey, the shark's rows of serrated, meat-shearing teeth can make their initial nibble lethal.
Some fishing organisations, according to The Tracking Sharks, are urging the government to buy shark shields or other equipment that create electrical impulses that have been proven to scare off white sharks. Furthermore, some biologists advise divers to avoid using black wetsuits and, if they do, to paint white stripes on the suits to mimic the pattern of the venomous coral snake.
Another suggestion demands that a second scuba mask be worn on the back of the head. Sharks are ambush predators, thus the argument behind this is that they could be less inclined to attack if they think their intended prey is observing them.