- Man bitten by a blue shark off Ardmore was rescued by the Irish Coast Guard.
- The victim is set to undergo surgery in Waterford.
- Expert Grace Carr stated that shark fishing should be more strictly regulated and that individuals should undergo special training.
- Grace Carr emphasized that the shark involved was in a very stressful situation when it bit the man.
- Improper handling of sharks can lead to injuries, as noted by Carr, who mentioned that some photos show people not supporting the animal's body correctly.
- Post-release mortality is a significant concern in shark fishing, according to Carr, who stated there is no way to know if the animal will suffer injuries or die after being released.
- Anglers contribute to scientific research, but Carr insists that they should still undergo training and licensing.
- Government regulations on recreational activities like shark fishing are needed, according to Carr, who stressed the importance of proper training for safety.
- Achim, the victim, stated that no one was at fault for the incident, especially not the shark, and he plans to stop fishing for blue sharks.
A man who was bitten by a blue shark off Ardmore is recovering after surgery. Sebastian Achim, part of a crew tagging sharks for research, was injured when a shark he pulled into the boat bit his leg.29
"I was just admiring the fish itself, when he just jumped in a millisecond and grabbed into my calf," Achim recounted. He managed to tie a rope around his leg to stem the bleeding while emergency services were called.
The Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 117, along with other agencies, responded swiftly, airlifting Achim to Cork University Hospital.1
"I didn't think I was going to make it," he said, noting he lost a lot of blood and was three hours from shore. Doctors informed him he would need skin grafts due to tissue loss.
Experts like Grace Carr from the Irish Wildlife Trust emphasize that shark bites are rare in Ireland, stating, "there's no documented shark bites happening whenever someone’s in the water swimming ... or any sort of unprovoked attack." Carr advocates for stricter regulations on shark fishing, highlighting the need for proper training to prevent such incidents.4
"If you’re going to be handling wild animals ... people should be trained appropriately for the safety of the animal and for themselves," she said. The blue shark, typically found in Irish waters from June to October, is classified as near threatened, according to the IUCN Red List.
“Grace Carr of the Irish Wildlife Trust called the blue shark 'very non-aggressive' and noted no documented unprovoked attacks in Ireland. She said the shark was in a 'very stressful situation' after being caught, and that anglers should undergo special training and licensing.”
