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Old 01-14-2021, 04:48 PM   #16
Spear One
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Re: Rick Bettua mauled by Shark in Northern Queensland

Glad to hear Rick has recovered.
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Old 03-28-2021, 05:37 AM   #17
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Re: Rick Bettua mauled by Shark in Northern Queensland

Saw a factual TV program on sharks showing that 2020 was a big year for shark attacks in Australia, around 20 in all. Towards the end of the program Rick was interviewed having been released from hospital. He looked OK, but said the Bull Shark came at him travelling at speed and despite blocking it with his discharged gun there was nothing he could do as it was a big one being wide in the body. Bull Sharks only get so long, then they bulk up.

A lucky escape, but Rick said he believed sharks were learning and starting to associate boat motor sounds and spearguns going off as food signalling events or maybe signs of competitors in their area.

https://www.freeview.com.au/watch-tv...0-aa9c84f18b07
https://image-proxy-prod.switch.tv/f...=360&width=640

Last edited by popgun pete; 03-28-2021 at 05:45 AM. Reason: added reference
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Old 03-28-2021, 07:07 PM   #18
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Re: Rick Bettua mauled by Shark in Northern Queensland

Received these photos from Rick. These are from the past week. I can't imagine the pain and work that went in to getting back out there.
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Old 03-28-2021, 07:22 PM   #19
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Re: Rick Bettua mauled by Shark in Northern Queensland

Great to see. Since the sixties the development of canal housing estates in what had been coastal swamp land has created huge breeding areas for Bull Sharks which can live in freshwater as well as saltwater. This and the "save the shark" environmental movement has ensured a plentiful supply of sharks competing for food and which are now moving back into inshore areas which previous generations of fishermen had cleared them out from.
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Old 03-29-2021, 09:01 AM   #20
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Re: Rick Bettua mauled by Shark in Northern Queensland

I'm glad he's doing well.
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Old 03-29-2021, 04:04 PM   #21
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Re: Rick Bettua mauled by Shark in Northern Queensland

Happy happy happy !
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