A 39-year-old man has died after being attacked by a shark while fishing at Kennedy Shoal on the Great Barrier Reef, south of Cairns.
Emergency services received an alert around midday on Sunday. The critically injured fisherman was transported to the Hull River Heads boat ramp near Tully.
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Medical personnel were unable to save the man.
He succumbed to severe injuries shortly after being brought to shore from the shallow reef, located 50 kilometers off the Queensland coast.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have commenced standard legal proceedings to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal encounter. The area is a popular recreational diving and fishing zone.
"Following the sudden and non-suspicious death of a 39-year-old man in the Cassowary Coast area, police will prepare a report for the coroner," Queensland police stated.
The administrative process began immediately after the victim was brought back to the mainland by emergency responders.
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"Emergency services were called to Hull River Heads boat ramp just before 12pm, following reports a man had been attacked by a shark while out at Kennedy Shoal," police added.
First responders confirmed that the victim could not be revived after being brought to land.
"The man was retrieved from the water and died from his injuries," police said.
The specific species of shark responsible remains unconfirmed. Tiger sharks and bull sharks frequently inhabit the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem.
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This incident follows another fatal shark attack last weekend at Rottnest Island near Perth, where a 38-year-old man died on Saturday despite receiving immediate treatment.
