Barracuda Attack?
A diver is in critical condition Friday after he was attacked by a large fish while spearfishing off windward Oahu Thursday night. The victim, Tonga “Piu” Loumoli, and his diving partner believe that “large fish” was a barracuda. If so, this would be an extremely rare case of an attack by a great barracuda in Hawaii.
Barracudas are common in Hawaiian waters, but attacks on humans are rare. Their sharp teeth allow them to prey on fish of all sizes. “They feed on fish quite large by cutting them in two pieces with a dart-like dash and then leisurely returning to pick up the two halves.”
It’s somewhat skeptical if a barracuda is to blame… “Barracudas have very long pointed snouts so you wouldn’t have a hemispherical bite like a shark but you’d have a narrower bite or a slash.”
Rivera’s recollection of his friend’s wound might match that description: “Yeah, maybe about a two inch hole right straight inside of him.”
I just happen to know Piu and remember talking to him about this, I will also add that they thought it may have also been a long tom or saltwater gar.
Barracudas and gars are very sensitive to bright reflections(it is natural for them to attack small shiny bait fish like this) and they say that this could have been the cause for the attack,because he was wearing a sliver neckless.
Just a thought to add
Ben
Barracudas look very vicious, I know. But I have researched barracudas and I am shocked at this attack. It’s very rare to be attacked by a barracuda because they are known for only eating fish and smaller species of barracudas. Either you are mistaken about the type of fish by which Piu was attacked or it is as Ben said: the barracuda went after his necklace.
I was snorkeling in Cozumel this summer and I was filming a barracuda and he vigorously came toward me and barely missed me. I am thankful to God I am still alive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TTABF0gGkw