Hunt on for killer Ballina shark
1:15p.m. 8th April 2008
The NSW government has activated its shark attack response plan following the death of a 16-year-old surfer off the NSW north coast.
The boy died at North Wall Beach at Ballina after suffering large bites to the leg and body, a Surf Life Saving NSW spokesman says.
The attack took place around 8.30am (AEST) while the boy was bodyboarding with a friend.
Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald has expressed his condolences to the family and says his department will now do all it can to help in the investigation.
“The state government has initiated the Shark Attack Response Plan, with a (Department of Primary Industries) scientist on the way to Ballina to assist police and the coroner with their investigations,” Mr Macdonald said in a statement.
“This is a tragedy.
”It brings home to us that, sadly, there are no 100 per cent guarantees when we venture into our waterways.“
A spokesman for Mr Macdonald said the scientist would help police identify the species of shark responsible for the attack.
The scientist would also assist if the shark was to be eliminated, but bad weather conditions were hindering the investigation, he said.
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Recent Comments
We are entering the sharks territory with no guarantee of our safety, therefore, I find the idea of the shark having to be eliminated quite disturbing. It was simply doing what it does naturally....should it die for mistaking a human for its normal prey?
And how is anyone going to know which shark was actually responsible for the attack?
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