MOSSEL BAY, South Africa — A shark attacked and killed another surfer near a controversial South Africa shark cage diving site.
Authorities in South Africa told CDNN they believe a great white shark attacked 25-year-old Gerhard van Zyl Saturday afternoon while he was surfing at Glentana Bay near Mossel Bay.
Witnesses said the shark bit off the victim's right leg above the knee.
He was airlifted in critical condition to George Hospital where he was pronounced dead due to loss of blood.
In July, a shark attacked 37-year-old Paul Buckley while he was surfing in the same area.
Buckley survived the attack thanks to bystanders who rushed him to hospital where 150 stitches were required to close a deep 37cm long wound on his thigh.
In March, a shark attacked and killed 16-year-old Luyolo Mangele as he surfed at Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape, a popular destination for divers and underwater photographers who pay for "interactive" shark feeding dives that guarantee encounters with sharks.
In January, a shark attacked and killed Sikhanyiso Bangilizwe, 25, while swimming in the same area.
South Africa shark cage diving
The fatal attack came days after South Africa's Dept. of Environmental Affairs announced that shark cage diving in the area would be allowed even closer to shore near beaches at Great Brak and Hartenbos.
Many surfers and beach-goers in South Africa blame scuba diving operators who make money feeding and baiting sharks for the increase in shark attacks.
To date, authorities have failed to crack down on shark feeding and shark baiting profiteers who destroy the natural defense systems of sharks in order to sell guaranteed shark encounters to thrill-seeking tourists and underwater photographers.
Although naturally wary of humans and difficult to photograph in the wild, sharks can be manipulated and provoked with bait to "perform" and "model" for Steve Irwin wannabes and underwater image touts who profit from the sales of close-up "in your face" pictures of big sharks.