CSIRO determines it was a great white which grabbed boy from boat

Scientists have determined the species of shark that grabbed a boy out of his family’s fishing boat off Stanley earlier this month. SEE THE LATEST >>

• Life jacket and boat photos sent to CSIRO
• Shark pulls 10-year-old boy from boat in Stanley
• Family of John Arnott and son Lucas share statement

THE family of a 10-year-old Latrobe boy grabbed by a shark from a fishing boat earlier this month says the CSIRO had determined it was a white shark which was involved in the shock incident.

Lucas Arnott’s family said the boy was continuing to recover from the injuries he incurred as the result of the shark attack off Stanley on July 17.

“CSIRO marine scientists have examined the life jacket and have concluded that the damage is consistent with a white shark, with total length approximately 3.6-3.7 metres,” the family said in a statement released by Tasmania Police on Tuesday.

Great White Shark. Picture: Finlay Lawentz

“This has been a traumatic event for the boy and his family, and they are thankful for the continued privacy they are being afforded to enable their son to fully recover.

“While this has been an extraordinary event, it highlights the importance of wearing a well maintained and correctly fitted life jacket as that, combined with the bravery of his father, helped save the boy’s life.”

Several hours before the attack Tasmania Police put out a warning that a big shark had been spotted in the waters off the North West town.

The boy was fishing with his father and two other men about 5km offshore when the shark leapt out of the water and pulled him off the boat, into the water.

The shark let go of the child after his father jumped into the water to save his son.

Lucas suffered cuts to his head and chest and arms and his life jacket was shredded.