Shark survivor talks about onboard attack

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

When Gold Coast fisherman Jarryd Tinson, 20, hauled a three-metre shark onto a tuna boat yesterday, he got the fright of his life when the 90kg whopper whipped around and bit him on the right calf.

"It was just a normal fishing day, hauled up a shark and got him on deck and was on standby to clean him and yeah ... misjudged him, he was laying there placid," Tinson told the Nine Network from his Gold Coast Hospital bed.

"I went to step over him and he did a big banana on me and yeah, just took to my knee, thought he had a big bit of bait."

Tinson said the skipper and two crew members came to the rescue, as they desperately tried to pull the shark's jaws apart.

"The skipper put a bit of a hole in there, just below the jaws, and then got the hand in there to try to pull it open," Tinson said.

"One or two crew were on the nose side, trying to pull it away but just so lucky he didn't do any spins on me ... because if he did a spinner, I'd be walking away with half a calf."

Tinson said he was keen to get back on the water within two weeks and make some good money from a big haul. Sounds like Tinson has bigger balls than Godzilla.

Do you think Tinson should go back fishing so soon? Leave your comment below.

User comments

hi. i hope that dude gets better soon, sorry for my lingo some people might find "dude" offensive, but i'm only 12. just remember the shark didn't know what it was doing, so we can't really blame anyone.. personally i would like, massively steer clear of any almost-dead dangerous animals.. but it was an accident on his part and im sure he'd be more wary next time. hope he feels well enough to go back to his job soon.

sup fellas im the shark theat bit him ... you see i was trying to loose some of my 90kg going for my morning swim and i was a tad hungry as i skipped my maccas deluxe breakfeast and then all of a sudden im on a boat n yea this leg was there and i took a bite but i gave him the curtisy of not chewing it off.. his a good fisherman pulling my fat body up all that way peace out fellas

Kim, a fish is a fish is a fish. Fish are, by definition, not human. If they were human, they'd be people. I believe the word you really wanted to use would be "inhumane". BTW by your standard, wouldn't it be fair to say that the shark biting Tinson constitutes unpescatorial treatment of a fisherman?

Tinson I think you should of thought of another job to pursue dude.Your lucky he did,nt take your leg off,like big bad Tyson took the other boxers ear off.Good luck for the future.

So he was about to slice off the shark's fins while it was still alive and then is surprised that the shark bites him - shame. Sharks are seriously in danger of extinction so it's heartening to hear of one fighting back.

if the guy is so dumb not to realize what is he doing ,then opening tuna's can for him is better.

most people just expect all sharks to be thrashing around and attacking but i think thats pretty stereotypical. i think sharks are smart and have personalities too and i believe jarryd when he said he thought the shark was placid. i dont think he deserved that bite in the leg and i have no problem with people fishing for sharks as long as they arent over fishing and being selfish or fishing them for the wrong reasons, i mean, we are at the top of the food chain. in response to the comment named "circus at sea", i dont think he was killing a shark 'just to be a big man' as you put it. i reckon it takes real guts to go shark fishing and you have to be pretty tough and strong. and for the whole fishing industry not being a real job? what is that? i would like to see what kind of job you have. probably sitting behind a computer desk typing away all day. how boring. jarryd probably has real exciting days on the job and he seems like he loves it out there. good on him !

This bloke... i mean admire what he's been trough but come on get real... if you think a shark biting you isnt gunna hurt your way thick..(youch!!)... and no it doesn't serve him rite... he didnt know...P.S. usually big fish dont die instantly ... watch out... or karma's gunna get you(i stole that off the old diet coke adds)

I think it is a really good idea that this guy doesn't develop a unnerving fear of sharks. That can lead to extreme situations. As for this situation, I guess you've learnt to be a little more careful when dealing with something that has an endless supply of teeth. For the rest of you who are judging based on a storey - get a grip. You have no idea the circumstances in which the shark was initially caught. Dont' pass judgement on things you obviously don't know much about. This guy has suffered enough. Let him get back to living his life - the best way for him.

Ok so people dont like it when a fisherman kills a fish or a shark...whatever the case. Heres a question for all people giving this guy that works in a dangarous enviroment to pay his way in life, when was your last bit of steak? or your last fish and chips. There animals aswell that have been killed for your consumption. Thats all this bloke was doing. Back off and find something constructive to argue about. Tinson your a trooper, i hope you keep the jaws!

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