Man attacked by shark while spearfishing in the Florida Keys

KEY WEST, Florida – A spearfisherman is recovering in Miami after he was bitten by a shark while fishing on a reef in the Keys on Monday, authorities said.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said the incident occurred around 3:40 p.m. and the man was brought to shore after the encounter.

The fisherman was later identified as Jose Abreu and is currently recovering in a hospital near Miami.

Abreu told Miami-based FOX affiliate WSVN that his friend witnessed the encounter and was able to quickly thrust a spear into the shark’s mouth to stop the attack.

“I say to my kids, ‘Hey dad, don’t die, don’t die,'” Abreu said in an interview with WSVN. “I said, ‘Hey, don’t worry, this is small, this is nothing, this is small.'”

Abreu is said to be in good spirits and told WSVN that he plans to return to spearfishing after completing physical therapy.

“He saved my life,” Abreu said of his friend’s actions.

Florida boater seriously injured in shark attack

Despite news of about a dozen shark attacks around the Sunshine State this summer, incidents involving the giant fish are still considered rare.

According to data from the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File, about 63 shark attacks are reported worldwide each year, with Central Florida counties often topping the list.

In just about a month, at least four people have been bitten by sharks in Volusia County, while three have been attacked in the Panhandle.

Authorities could not link any of the incidents to Walton County, but stressed that the ocean is the animal’s natural habitat.

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While boaters and fishermen face particular risks when encountering sharks, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission advises swimmers and surfers to stay out of the water during twilight, when the animals are most active.

Beachgoers are also warned not to enter the water with open wounds or wearing shiny jewelry, as both can attract sharks.

Many beach lifeguard organizations use purple flags to indicate the presence of dangerous marine life such as jellyfish, stingrays or sharks.