The first fatal shark attack of the year was recorded in Mexico after a man diving for mollusks was reportedly killed in a ferocious attack by a great white shark that resulted in the diver’s decapitation.
Manuel Lopez was diving for mollusks in Mexico’s Tobari Bay in the Gulf of California when he encountered a 19-foot great white shark around 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 5 at a depth of about 50 feet, website TrackingSharks.com reported.
Two other fishermen who were with him at the time of the attack said Lopez was beheaded.
“He was diving when the animal attacked him, impressively ripping off his head and biting both shoulders,” said Jose Bernal, a man speaking for the fisherman, of the attack.
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A great white shark being lured by a handler ((Photo by Alexis Rosenfeld/Getty Images))
Bernal said divers in the area had previously been warned of an increased shark presence in the area and that most divers were off the water in the days leading up to the attack.
Lopez reportedly dived using a surface-supplied air source that uses compressor pumps to push air through hoses connected to the diver, who is also connected to the boat with tethered ropes.
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Great white sharks congregate seasonally off the coast of Guadalupe Island; Divers dive into cages from the Nautilus Explorer boat to swim safely with the sharks (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
TrackingSharks.com reported that a shortage of seafood has led to increased demand, which has motivated some divers to brave the dangerous waters despite the risks posed by economic hardship.
Great white sharks are common both in the Sea of Cortez and in December and January when pregnant sharks come into the water to feed.
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This undated image released by Discovery Channel shows a great white shark. (Discovery Channel via AP)
A 56-year-old diver was killed in the area in February last year while diving for scallops and another diver was killed in the area in 2018.
Andrew Mark Miller is a Fox News writer. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to [email protected].