Fisherman killed by 16ft tiger shark in Jamaica

A spear fisherman has been killed after being attacked by a huge 16ft tiger shark while diving in waters off the coast of southern Jamaica.

George Facey, 68, was became separated from his group while fishing off Pelican Cay, a remote island three miles off the south coast.

His friend and colleague, Anthony Daley, told The Jamaica Gleaner that it was the biggest shark he had seen in 10 years of fishing.

According to stuff.co.nz, speaking in Jaimaican patois, he said: ''Me fish everywhere in Jamaica and even as far away as Honduras and this is the biggest shark me ever see.

"The shark is definitely a killer because George never have any fish for it to kill him for. It is just a devil shark."

Police said Mr Facey was bitten several times, but the group he was with managed to retrieve his body from the water, even while the shark circled.

According to Sky News, local fisherman Compton Campbell said: "It's awful and a big shock. That shark shredded him up. I knew him very well and I can tell you that he was a very good man, a good Christian."

Speared fish are not always killed outright, they may wriggle on the spear and bleed into the water - both of which can attract sharks. However, it does not appear that this was the case in this incident.

Ingrid Parchment, executive director of the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation, indicated that shark attacks are not something tourists generally need to worry about. She said she could not recall any other fatal shark attacks in Jamaican waters, adding: "Sharks are not a big fear here."

But Brandon Hay, who also works for the conservation group, said: "If anyone is going to be bitten by a tiger shark chances are it will be a spear fisherman."

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