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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 07:31:46 -0500 (EST)
From: John Naughton <John_Naughton@cc*.ss*.nm*.go*>
To: Leighton Taylor <71740.2116@co*.co*>, elasmo-l@um*.ed*
Subject: Re: shark attack Napili, Maui 1/17/96

    Leighton:  Howsit from Hawaii.  Read your posting concerning info
         on blood bath off your house in Napili.  I recently
         interviewed the attackee, with my questions geared toward the
         species of shark involved (G. Balazs did same for details to
         include in his list).
              As usual with these incidents the entire event took
         approx. 4 to 5 seconds.  Mr. Rogowicz first impression was of
         a large, very thick animal which didn't move when he pushed
         off it with both hands after it mouthed his left foot (to
         the tune of 41 stitches).  He wasn't sure of the total
         length, only that it was much larger then he is.  He didn't
         see the head clearly, just a "wall of gray".  He did,
         however, get a look at the tail as it turned and headed away.
         The dorsal lobe of the tail was considerably longer then the
         ventral lobe, and was narrow and slightly curved.
              The suspect shark I feel could be a white, galapagos, or
         tiger.  The description of the tail appears to rule out a
         white shark.  I feel the size, particularly girth, indicates
         a tiger over a galapagos.  Also, the attack itself is quite
         consistant with other incidents involving tiger sharks.
              Mr. Rogowicz also said two different surfers have
         approached him and said they have recently seen a large tiger
         in this area when the swell was up.  (However, I find that
         after an incident often surfers and divers come forth with
         "tiger shark" sightings prior to the event).
             He was surface swimming with a face mask and snorkel at
         the time.  Should you desire more details give me a call
         (808/9732940) or E-mail.   Aloha.

         John Naughton
         NMFS, Honolulu

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