Australia: Pastor killed by shark during a fishing trip

A 40-year-old man, a pastor from the city of Rockhampton (Queensland), lost his life on Saturday, December 28, after being attacked by a shark in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. The victim was fishing with his family near Humpy Island, off Australia’s east coast, at the time of the incident.

A brutal attack
According to emergency services, the shark bit the man on the neck, inflicting fatal injuries. Despite prompt intervention, he passed away approximately an hour and a half after the attack. Local authorities have not confirmed whether the victim was spearfishing, although photos he posted on social media in 2021 show him in diving gear aboard a boat, holding large fish.

A popular reef destination
Humpy Island, located within the Keppel Bay Islands National Park, is renowned for its accessible reefs, attracting many diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. The island also features a popular camping site.

A tragedy amid heightened vigilance
This fatal attack is the first since December 2023, when a 15-year-old boy was killed by a shark at a remote surfing spot in South Australia. Since 1791, over 1,200 shark-related incidents have been recorded in Australia, more than 250 of which resulted in fatalities.

Great white sharks, bull sharks, and tiger sharks are the species most commonly responsible for severe bites. In response to such risks, researchers have recently demonstrated that illuminating surfboards can deter sharks from attacking.