Shark Attack at St Leu

An experienced local surfer, aged 40, lost his right foot and seriously damaged a hand, said local authorities in a story on Iafrica.com, although witnesses said he lost his hand as well.

Ironically, the attack comes after an order by the mayor of Saint Leu, Thierry Robert, to pay fisherman to catch sharks was rescinded due to public outcry, and the intervention of France in the form of French Overseas minister Victorin Lurel, who said France would deal with the problem. Saint Leu - a legendary lefthand reef discovered in the 1970s - lies in a marine reserve (to protect coral reefs) and across the bay from a turtle sanctuary.

Authorities are likely to take stronger action now. Tourism is a vital part of the economy of Reunion, and shark attacks have been increasing. Three surfers have died in 13 months, and three attacks have been recorded this year alone, the last two weeks ago when Alexandre Rassica, 22, died after losing a leg in what was believed to be a bull shark.

The IAfrica.com story quotes Xavier Brunetiere, general secretary at the Reunion town hall, as saying yesterday's attack occured at Saint Leu, located in a marine reserve on the western side of the island.

"Witnesses said the shark had severed a hand and a foot from the victim, but he made it back to the beach by himself. His life was not in danger," IAfrica quoted Brunetiere as saying.

The Saint Leu town hall would take immediate action, Roberts said, without being more specific, according to IAfrica. Roberts complained that central government was not responding fast enough, and told a local radio station that the attack was forseeable and that he had been asking for action for several weeks.

There are rumours that angry residents are ready to take matters into their own hands if authorities don't act swiftly.