Kayak fisherman dies from shark in Maui

A kayak angler was killed this morning off "little beach" in Maui. Lots of Tiger sharks in this area of the islands. Pray for his family.

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/24114775/shark-attack-reported-at-little-beach-on-maui-details-at-hawaiinewsnowcom

I'm in Maui right now. I Showed at the very beach this happened at today to go snorkeling. The beaches are closed off. I have a picture of the shark notice, but can't post from my iPhone.

The kayak angler killed by a shark off Maui earlier today has been identified as Patrick A. Briney (57) of Stevenson, Washington. RIP.

Was Patrick on this forum?  Very sad indeed.  May he rest in peace forever.


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I'd like to hope the guy was "one of us."

That is to say that he loved what he was doing.

I was just thinking maybe I should pack a tourniquet in my first aid kit, but there is bungee cord all over place. If you are bleeding profusely get it slowed down as best and as quickly as possible.

Fair seas and following winds my friend.

Such a shame, crazy how fast a beautiful day on the water can go terribly wrong. This is the second shark attack fatality in that area in the last couple months, and I think the 16th or 17th attack statewide this year. Normally about four attacks per year, and rarely do they end up being fatal. Something is definetly going on, but no one knows what has changed exactly. One thing that is brought up often is the recovery of the turtles, which are a major food source for tigers. Hard to say, but it def makes you think when you're out on the water.
Also, the guys had his legs dangling in the water. I've had big tigers check me out before, I wonder if he hadn't had his feet in the water if this would've ended much differently. Tragic for him and his family though.

Also, the guys had his legs dangling in the water. I've had big tigers check me out before, I wonder if he hadn't had his feet in the water if this would've ended much differently. Tragic for him and his family though.

It's not like sharks are known to just tickle toes.  He might have lost a bait fish to the shark if he'd had his feet up in the yak, but otherwise been OK.  Guess this demonstrates why it might be a good idea not to dangle ones feet in the water, at least in areas with lots of requiem or lamniform sharks.

What a way to go.  Condolences to his family.  I hope his buddy gets through this too.  Had to be heart-wrenching for him.

That's so sad.  Condolences and prayers to his family.

Very sad.

Stevenson was in a tiny Hobie.  It looked like a Mirage Sport when it was carried off the beach (TV news footage).

Last time I was on Maui I fished the same waters in a Hobie Oasis with Cap'n Jon-Jon.  We launched from the same beach (MaKena Landing) and fished the same channel between Molokini and "Little Beach" (also called "Nude Beach").

http://www.localfishingknowledge.com/

Jon said he saw big tigers all the time, but not that day. 

Note to self, keep limbs in the boat when in suspected sharky waters.

Tragic.

RIP, and condolences to the family.

Also, the guys had his legs dangling in the water. I've had big tigers check me out before, I wonder if he hadn't had his feet in the water if this would've ended much differently. Tragic for him and his family though.

I doubt it.  I think we just look like food.

Does this picture look all that much different from what a kayak would look like bobbing around on the surface?



Turns out, whale carcasses are common food for tiger sharks and great whites.

http://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=96103178024

I talked with Jon Jon last night. He told me he chose not to fish yesterday - the water didn't feel right. It was murky, and the turtles were mostly absent the day prior.

The victim, Patrick Briney, was from Stevenson, WA, and a part-time Maui resident. He wasn't known to the Aquahunters or Jon Jon, and seemingly not here too.

Reading between the lines, it seems likely he was a relatively new kayak angler given the lack of rigging on the two short Hobies pictured in the news video footage. There was no sign of a bait tank. Jon Jon thought they weren't fishing for opelu, but essentially anything they could catch.

My post is matter of fact, but this is a profoundly sad development. I feel for Briney, his family, and the friend who couldn't save him.

I think it had to happen eventually. I've followed and researched shark on fishing kayak incidents for a decade. So far as I can tell, this was the first shark-caused kayak fishing fatality in the modern era.

There are some gaps in the data, so I'm not entirely certain. There could have potentially been incidents in Australia / NZ or South Africa in the early days of the sport. 

I talked with Jon Jon last night. He told me he chose not to fish yesterday - the water didn't feel right. It was murky, and the turtles were mostly absent the day prior.

The victim, Patrick Briney, was from Stevenson, WA, and a part-time Maui resident. He wasn't known to the Aquahunters or Jon Jon, and seemingly not here too.

Reading between the lines, it seems likely he was a relatively new kayak angler given the lack of rigging on the two short Hobies pictured in the news video footage. There was no sign of a bait tank. Jon Jon thought they weren't fishing for opelu, but essentially anything they could catch.

My post is matter of fact, but this is a profoundly sad development. I feel for Briney, his family, and the friend who couldn't save him.

I think it had to happen eventually. I've followed and researched shark on fishing kayak incidents for a decade. So far as I can tell, this was the first shark-caused kayak fishing fatality in the modern era.

There are some gaps in the data, so I'm not entirely certain. There could have potentially been incidents in Australia / NZ or South Africa in the early days of the sport.

Thanks PAL!  That was some good info.  I appreciate the detail.

My deepest condolences go out to Briney's family and friends!
-Spot-

Condolences to the family. In my mini x I always used to dangle my feet. But I've seen too many videos of sea lion grabbing fish that one day I know one will come check me out and grab potentially anything that looks like a fish...including my feet. He isn't going to eat me but definitely could lose my foot.

No real shark threats here but I think I'll keep my extremeties in the kayak.


AlaskaKayakFisher.com
Guidesak.blogspot.com
My personal pages...I'm not a guide.

I talked with Jon Jon last night. He told me he chose not to fish yesterday - the water didn't feel right. It was murky, and the turtles were mostly absent the day prior.

The victim, Patrick Briney, was from Stevenson, WA, and a part-time Maui resident. He wasn't known to the Aquahunters or Jon Jon, and seemingly not here too.

Reading between the lines, it seems likely he was a relatively new kayak angler given the lack of rigging on the two short Hobies pictured in the news video footage. There was no sign of a bait tank. Jon Jon thought they weren't fishing for opelu, but essentially anything they could catch.

My post is matter of fact, but this is a profoundly sad development. I feel for Briney, his family, and the friend who couldn't save him.

I think it had to happen eventually. I've followed and researched shark on fishing kayak incidents for a decade. So far as I can tell, this was the first shark-caused kayak fishing fatality in the modern era.

There are some gaps in the data, so I'm not entirely certain. There could have potentially been incidents in Australia / NZ or South Africa in the early days of the sport.

Thanks PAL!  That was some good info.  I appreciate the detail.

My deepest condolences go out to Briney's family and friends!
-Spot-

Updated story. I hope you don't mind me posting. I take Jon Jon at his word. I don't mean to criticize Briney or his friend, it could have been me just as easily. Rather it underlines the value of local knowledge.

Jon Jon obviously has a financial interest in gaining new clients. I think the risk of losing clients fearful of shark encounters balances it out and then some.

http://www.kayakfishmag.com/news/an-awful-first-shark-kills-kayak-fisherman-patrick-a-briney/