Tourist Survives Shark Attack in Fernando de Noronha

The shark attack occurred on a Friday, during a mergulho em apneia (freediving) session. The location was identified as being in front of the Associação Noronhense de Pescadores (Anpesca) at the Porto de Santo Antônio. At the time of the incident, Tayane Dalazen was accompanied by Erivaldo Alves da Silva, a tour guide known locally as Nego Noronha.

Following the attack, Dalazen received immediate assistance. She noted that her friend, Caroline Pereira, was present during the bite. Pereira, who works as a dermatologist, administered the first aid. She has continued to monitor the healing process. Dalazen explained that she removed the bandage covering the wound on the following Monday because the injury needed to breathe.

In an interview regarding the event, Tayane Dalazen described the physical sensation of the bite. She stated, "É uma dor muito forte, mas não é paralisante" (It is a very strong pain, but it is not paralyzing). She confirmed that the wound is healing well.

Regarding medical intervention, Dalazen explained that she received only two stitches. This decision was made due to the risk of infection. The procedure used was known as aproximação das bordas do ferimento (approximation of the wound edges). This method allows the healing to occur from the inside out. Dalazen emphasized that she had followed all safety guidelines provided by her guide prior to the attack.

The shark involved in the incident was described by Dalazen as a tubarão-lixa (grey reef shark) measuring between two and three meters in length.

Following the incident, Léo Vera, a fishing engineer who researches sharks in the region, provided an assessment. Vera characterized the event as an interaction between humans and wildlife. He emphasized that while incidents can occur, there are no "culprits" in such natural scenarios.

Vera noted that the tourist would be left with a "lembrança e uma cicatriz" (a memory and a scar) for the rest of her life. His comments suggest that the bite was likely a defensive reaction or a case of mistaken identity rather than an unprovoked aggression.

The Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio) has taken action following the attack. The agency has reinforced educational initiatives in the area. They are also engaging in dialogue with tourism operators to ensure safety protocols are understood and followed.

In addition to these preventative measures, ICMBio has opened an official investigation. The goal is to fully understand the specific circumstances that led to the incident involving Tayane Dalazen. Authorities remain focused on balancing tourism activities with the preservation of the local marine ecosystem.