2 SHARK ATTACKS. 7 DAYS. NOW PEOPLE ARE ASKING WHAT’S HAPPENING…🦈

A spear fisherman has died in what is being reported as the second fatal shark attack in just one week.

But the detail now stopping people is the number itself — 2 tragedies in 7 days — as questions grow around the waters where everything unfolded…

Spear fisherman killed in second fatal shark attack in a week

A day on the water has ended in tragedy after a Cairns man was mauled by a shark on the Great Barrier Reef.

A spear fisherman has been killed by a shark on the Great Barrier Reef in far north Queensland, marking the second fatal attack in just over a week.

The 39-year-old Cairns man was spearfishing at Kennedy Shoal, around 40 kilometres off the coast, when he was mauled by the shark.

He was on board a boat with three friends who made an SOS call to the Coast Guard just before midday yesterday.

The group hauled him aboard and raced back to shore where they were met by paramedics, but the victim’s injuries were too severe.

A spear fisherman has been killed by a shark on the Great Barrier Reef. A spear fisherman has been killed by a shark on the Great Barrier Reef. Credit: 7NEWS

While officers say shark attacks in the area are uncommon, local boaties reported seeing bull sharks swarming in the hours leading up to the attack.

The tragedy comes just over a week after 38-year-old Stephen Mataboni was bitten on the leg while also spearfishing off WA’s Rottnest Island.

There have been three fatal shark attacks in Australia this year, prompting authorities to warn anyone heading out on the water to remain cautious and vigilant.