Barracuda suspected in last week’s fish bite incidents

The Department of Environment is investigating an incident south of Governor’s Beach on 16 Oct., where two people were treated and later discharged from hospital after suffering fish bites to their hands.

In a press release issued Thursday 22 Oct., the department said, “Based on witness statements, a barracuda is the suspected cause. Images of the injuries have been sent to bite experts for analysis.”

Since the incidents, Department of Environment officers have conducted drone surveys, beach walks and in-water monitoring, observing concentrations of baitfish and some barracuda in the area.

The department is also investigating whether fish feeding, floating objects that attract baitfish, and boat activity may have contributed to the incident.

The department reminded the public that feeding marine wildlife outside designated Wildlife Interaction Zones is illegal and advised swimmers to avoid murky water stirred up by boats and to remove jewellery and other shiny objects that may attract barracuda.

Anyone who has witnessed fish feeding along the shoreline or unusual fish behaviour is encouraged to contact the Department of Environment at doe@gov.ky with details, photographs or video evidence.

The latest incident follows two earlier reports of swimmers being bitten, which prompted the Department of Environment to remove a barracuda from the area.