A typical free-diving expedition off Florida’s coast took an unexpected turn for an experienced spear fisherman who was bitten by a bull shark, shortly after he assured his visiting relatives not to worry about these renowned predators.
Chance Armand, 28, began spearfishing in 2020 and took up free diving earlier this year, noting that encounters with sharks are normal but “nothing crazy” usually occurs.
“You come into contact with them, catch a brief sight of each other, and they might bluff you for your fish, but they generally don’t act on it,” Armand explained to Fox News Digital.
Chance Armand, 28, was attacked by a shark while spearfishing off the Florida coast. (Photo courtesy of Chance Armand)
“Things escalated quickly,” he added. “I’m seizing the opportunity to highlight the plentiful shark population in Florida waters. I’d like to see a cultural shift regarding sharks in Florida. If you responsibly harvest a shark and properly handle its meat, it makes for excellent table fare.
“Florida’s waters are teeming with sharks, so there’s no threat of endangering their numbers, especially bull sharks. They’re very common here, and we encounter them on every outing. I hope people start viewing them as a renewable resource, similar to other marine life that can be sustainably managed and fished for food.”
Undeterred by the attack, Armand said he plans on returning to his ocean hobby once he is fully recovered.
“Once the stitches are removed, I aim to return to the water for grouper season, which starts on September 1,” he mentioned. “Provided the doctor clears me of any serious infection risk, I’ll be good to go. … I’m too stubborn to give up easily.”
“In the future, I’ll definitely not just assume that the sharks aren’t going to go all the way when it comes to stealing a fish. They have telltale signs when they’re in pursuit mode, like fins down, [so I will] just try and pay more attention to body language.”
An Escambia County spokesperson told Fox News Digital it received a 911 call about the incident, but Armand was assisted by fire personnel at Naval Air Station Pensacola.
NAS Pensacola did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
