A scientist specializing in marine studies focusing on the movements of sharks encountered a violent incident when a 9-foot Galápagos shark attacked him while he was diving more than 100 feet below the surface on a Saturday.
Dr. Mauricio Hoyos, aged 48, who leads the conservation organization Pelagios Kakunjá based in Mexico, sustained 27 injuries during the intense underwater confrontation. The New York Times reported that each of the shark’s teeth pierced his jaw and face through his diving mask.
Speaking from a hospital in Costa Rica, Hoyos recounted the terrifying experience, stating, “My entire head was inside her mouth in less than a second. If she had wanted to, she could have ended my life.”
Collaborating with the charity group Fins Attached Marine Research and Conservation, Hoyos’ team embarked on a research expedition on September 20 to investigate the protection needs of sharks in the region from commercial fishing activities. The expedition took place off Cocos Island, located over 400 miles away from Costa Rica.
On the sixth day of the expedition, Hoyos equipped himself with diving gear and a pole spear, descending to a depth of 123 feet. While underwater, he encountered the 9-foot female shark, tagging it with his pole spear, which struck the shark’s dorsal fin. The shark swiftly turned towards him, opening its jaws.
Describing the moment to The Times, Hoyos explained, “She quickly turned towards me; it happened so fast. Her mouth was wide open, and in an instant, my whole head was inside her mouth.”
Despite hearing a cracking sound, Hoyos clarified that it was only pressure. He added, “Once she made contact with my skull, she let go. Then, she swam away.”
As his scuba mask filled with a mixture of blood and water, and his air hoses were severed by the shark’s teeth, Hoyos carefully began ascending to the surface, ensuring proper decompression. Reflecting on the ordeal, he said, “I felt like I couldn’t breathe. It seemed slow, but my mind remained calm, constantly thinking about the next steps.”
Upon reaching the surface, feeling faint, Hoyos was swiftly rescued by his team and transported to Cocos Island for initial medical treatment before being transferred to a mainland hospital.
Awaiting surgery for the 27 wounds on his jaw, face, and scalp, Hoyos’ handling of the situation was praised by Dr. Alex Antoniou, the director of Fins Attached, who noted his understanding of shark behavior. Hoyos suggested that the shark likely reacted defensively to being tagged, as it may not have noticed his presence before the encounter.
“It was a defensive reaction. She was signaling for me to keep my distance from her space,” Hoyos explained. “She was also frightened. It was not her fault.”
