Shark Bites Kayaker Twice During Fishing Trip Off Malibu: Reports

MALIBU, CA — A kayaker was hospitalized Sunday after being bitten twice by a shark he hooked while fishing off the Malibu coast, according to reports.

The man was fishing about a half-mile offshore near Paradise Cove when he hooked the shark and tried to release it, ABC 7 reported, citing the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The shark bit the fisherman, causing him to fall from his kayak, before biting him a second time, according to the report.

A nearby fishing boat helped get the injured kayaker to safety. He was taken to a hospital, though the extent of his injuries was not immediately known, NBC Los Angeles reported.

A manager at the Paradise Cove Beach Cafe told KTLA that the fisherman had visible bite wounds on his lower leg and above his knee when he was brought ashore.

The shark was believed to be a shortfin mako, a Los Angeles County lifeguard told NBC Los Angeles.

The beach remained open after the incident. Lifeguards told NBC Los Angeles that mako sharks typically remain in deeper water and officials did not believe the encounter posed an increased threat to swimmers near shore.