1. Thanks, Zippy. I love this website, too.

But this is a terrible story. To me, the worst part would be that infernal ride in the local vehicle. 3 and a half miles in 30 minutes? Think how slow, bumpy, stressful, and infuriating that trip must've been. So helpless. I'm sorry for the family.

Posted at 8:56PM on Jun 23rd 2005 by Willy

2. There have been a number of media reports during the last couple of years about shallow water attacks because certain species, in certain areas, use them as hunting grounds. It seems the locals knew the waters were frequented by sharks but didn't give it much mind to tell the tourists.

Terrible nonetheless.

Posted at 11:57AM on Jun 24th 2005 by Eric

3. I read today that a local dive shop had introduced shark feeding trips in the area (http://www.cdnn.info/news/safety/s050624.html). Some people believe that, without the interactive diving, the shark wouldn't have attacked the girl. Hard to say. Sharks attack. But this event certainly isn't going to help the shark-feeding industry. Nevertheless, I'm very sorry for the family of the little girl.

Posted at 7:45AM on Jun 25th 2005 by Willy

4. It is a terrible story. I can't imagine witnessing any type of shark attack, much less one of a little girl so young.

I can see why shark feeding trips can be blamed but what about fishing boats in the area too? I know off the Florida coast fishing boats aren't far off shore and they chum the waters to get fish to come in close. Of course this attracts sharks as well. That chum slick doesn't stay contained around the boat and can come into the beach right where people are swimming. If you were swimming 3 or 4 feet off the beach there is no way you would know if you were swimming in or around a chum slick and then the sharks can't tell the difference between you or the bait.

Posted at 4:16PM on Jun 25th 2005 by Deco Chic

5. I love this website. Terrible story though. That could happen anywhere, florida, cali, texas, hell even new york.

Posted at 10:45AM on Jun 26th 2005 by zippy

6. There is no shark feeding dive operation on malekula, and the one 150km to the north on santo was shut down 6-7 years ago by the nearby bokissa island resort.It is a terrible thing to happen, but most of the media reporting has been very misleading.
The malekula-paama-ambrym 'triangle' in particular has many sharks of all kinds, and many attacks do not get reported outside of the local paper. The resort island concerned should perhaps advise guests not to swim in the sea.

Posted at 10:07PM on Sep 23rd 2005 by andrew henricksen