Man killed in shark attack in Far North Queensland

A 39-year-old man has died after being attacked by a shark in waters north of Townsville.

Emergency services were called to Hull River Heads boat ramp before midday following reports a man had been attacked by a shark at Kennedy Shoal.

Kennedy Shoal is a submerged reef and popular fishing spot located off the Far North Queensland coast, approximately halfway between Mission Beach and Cardwell. It is also the site of the shipwrecked Lady Bowen, which sunk off the coast in 1894, a popular attraction for experienced divers.

Police said the man was retrieved from the water following the attack but died from his injuries.

Authorities could not say what the man was doing at the time of the attack, only that the death was not being treated as suspicious, and had been referred to the state coroner.

A teenage boy suffered serious injuries after being bitten on the stomach by a shark in waters off Thursday Island in Far North Queensland in October last year.

Charlize Zmuda, 17, died in February last year after being attacked by a shark while swimming in waters off Bribie Island’s coast.

The species of shark involved in the latest fatality is not yet known.

Kennedy MP Bob Katter called for urgent changes to Queensland’s shark management laws following Sunday’s fatality.

“We understand there [will] be more clarity over the coming days about what eventuated, but locals have been raising concerns about the exploding shark populations, particularly bull sharks … for years,” Katter said.

“We need immediate changes to allow the proper culling of dangerous sharks in North Queensland waters.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Primary Industries said the incident had not been reported to the Shark Control Program Hotline.

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