Another Surfer Killed by Shark Near Acapulco
Less than a month after 24-year-old Adrian Ruiz of San Francisco died after being bitten by a shark while surfing off Troncones beach in Acapulco, another surfer has been attacked and killed by a shark just 6 miles away. Osvaldo Mata Valdovinos, 21, was attacked Friday while surfing off Pantla beach, which is located west of Acapulco. The species of shark involved is not yet known.
This continues a string of attacks at beaches not typically known for these types of encounters with sharks. Exactly four weeks ago, Dr. David Martin was taken by what is said to be a 17 ft. Great White while swimming off of Solana Beach in San Diego. The following week saw the death of Ruiz by a shark whose identity is still being debated, many suspect it was a tiger while Mexican authorities claim it was a reef shark.
Aside from the tragic and unexpected life of another fellow surfer, this second attack near Acapulco is sure to escalate the tensions between those with two very different views on how to react. The response following the Ruiz attack by the Mexican authorities raised an incredible firestorm of opposition. The day after the attack, baited hooks were set to catch any sharks in the area without discretion. Environmentalists vehemently opposed the hunt and demanded that authorities post signs in the area’s beaches warning about sharks as an alternative to shark-slaughtering.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones of Osvaldo Mata Valdovinos. We will keep you posted as more information is obtained
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Posted by Shaun on Saturday, May 24th, 2008 in Surfing.
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May 24th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Tragedy to hear about another death in Mexico. Although Troncones Beach is not in Alcapulco, it’s about 4-5 hour drive West. I hope Mexican authorities don’t respond with the same shark slaughter they did with after the attack a month ago, but I get the feeling they will.
May 24th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Here’s a link with a map showing where Pantla Beach is. It’s about 6 miles from Troncones and 20 minutes North of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo.
http://surftherenow.com/2008/05/24/another-fatal-shark-attack-on-a-surfer-in-mexico/
May 24th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Sharks always get a bad rap with people forgetting that once you enter into the ocean you become part of the food chain. While these events are extremely rare, it is not unexpected. It is also not the sharks fault.
Humans harvest 100 million of them a year for just their fins,
Cheers,
Patric Douglas CEO
http://www.sharkdiver.com
http://www.sharkdivers.com
http://www.sharkdivers.blogspot.com
http://www.guadalupefund.org
May 25th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
fuck all of you environmentalist. if i was the authorities id use you for shark bait fuckn hippies.
May 26th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Another attack in Zihuantanejo! Three in a month! This one happened on Saturday, one day after the fatal attack.
http://surftherenow.com/2008/05/25/third-shark-attack-on-surfer-in-mexico-in-one-month/
May 26th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Nice one, danny. If it were not for us environmentalists beaches would be so polluted and overdeveloped, surfing would generally cease to exist.
May 27th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Also, the original response by Mexican authorities of hunting and killing sharks didn’t seem to be too effective either.
June 5th, 2008 at 8:38 am
It was not the mexican authorities, but the local town people who decided to take matters their on way.
June 6th, 2008 at 9:25 am
I wasn’t aware that the area was known to be prone to shark attacks certainly not three surfers in one month.
From what I read there is no major “revenge” against the sharks
June 24th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
sweet shark pic
AIR SHARKY
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