Roni Essex
Freediver, Spearo, Creator
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Roni Essex
Freediver, Spearo, Creator
While shark attacks are exceptionally rare, they do occur and can have devastating consequences. The latest tragic incident involves a 16-year-old Jamaican high school student who lost his life to a shark attack.
A shark attacked and killed a 16-year-old Jamaican high school student, Jahmari Reid, whose body was discovered in waters north of the island, according to authorities. Reid, from Trelawny, a parish located just east of Montego Bay, was reportedly spearfishing alone early Monday. Fishermen found his body the following day, and police confirmed injuries consistent with a shark attack.
Since 1749, Jamaica has recorded only three unprovoked shark attacks, according to the International Shark Attack File, which is maintained by the Florida Museum of Natural History and the American Elasmobranch Society.
Globally, shark attacks are rare, with 69 confirmed unprovoked attacks and 14 fatalities reported last year. The report highlighted a significant number of deaths in Australia, which accounted for about 22% of the world’s unprovoked shark attacks in 2023. Notably, Australia had a disproportionate number of shark bite fatalities last year.