Quebec diving company details how diver was bitten by great white shark

A Quebec diving company has detailed the recent shark attack that left a diver hospitalized but in stable condition. The incident occurred off the coast of Percé, on the eastern tip of the Gaspé Peninsula. The diver, a divemaster in training, was bitten by a great white shark during a routine 10-metre dive with a student.

Jean-François Vézina, vice-chair of Plongée Percé’s board of directors, informed the diver's colleague about the shark attack shortly after receiving a phone call. Vézina described the injuries as multiple lacerations and mentioned that this was the first time such an incident had occurred in Percé, despite previous shark sightings.

The diving centre disclosed the details on social media, noting that the attack took place during a safety stop at five metres below the surface after a 33-minute dive. Six divers were present, divided into two teams. The instructor and his student were handling the safety stop line when the shark was detected. The shark moved away quickly after the instructor spotted it.

Upon being informed of the incident, the Coast Guard coordinated the diver's safe return. The three other divers were unaware of the incident during their dive. The divemaster led them to the rocks of a nearby island. The diving company subsequently suspended all diving activities for the remainder of the season as a precautionary measure.