World Surf League photographer bitten by sea creature

The finals day of the World Surf League’s New Zealand pro event has been postponed after a photographer was attacked in the water by a marine animal that organizers believe is a shark or sea lion.

The incident occurred as Brazilian surfers Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira competed in the men’s semi-final in Raglan, North Island.

A ‘Code Red’ was activated with the event suspended while medical teams responded.

World Surf League vice-president of tours and competitions Renato Hickel said the photographer had a “minor puncture wound” and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

“We activate Code Red when it’s a marine life attack on a surfer or a photographer. This time it was our favorite water photographer and thank God he’s in good spirits. He’s doing well considering what happened,” Hickel said on the WSL broadcast.

He added: “At this stage we are not sure if it is a shark or a sea lion. The doctor who was helping at the scene thought it was a sea lion rather than a shark.

“Still very scary. Italo and Iago were very shaken. They saw the splash and the incident, so that’s another reason to put the event on hold.

“Hopefully we can wrap up the event today.”