A surfer dies after being pierced by a royal pipefish: What is this distinctive Indonesian animal?

The unfortunate death of Giulia Manfrini has rocked the network. A 36-year-old Italian woman, professional surfer and owner of the Awave travel company specializing in surf tourism, was surfing the famous Beng Beng wave in the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia when A royal pipefish crossed the waves and landed on its chestDue to which there was a wound 5 cm wide and 14 cm deep which reached his heart. Despite the efforts of two witnesses and the medical center staff who rushed him to the hospital, A few minutes later Giula died, As reported this Saturday by local Indonesian media due to the testimony of Lahammuddin Siregar, acting head of the Mentawai Islands Regional Disaster Management Agency.

This species of fish is not limited to those native to Indonesia only Its habitat is warm, shallow water.Therefore it can also be seen in the Mediterranean Sea. In fact, it has been seen several times off the coast of Barcelona and Verona. The maximum size of the fish is between 45 centimeters to one meter and it has no poison, so it generally poses no threat. However, due to its pointed shape, which allows it Its attack has the same effect as a knife and its speed is up to 60 kilometers per hour. This can be really dangerous if you feel threatened.

it’s about a fish-eating species that eats small fishMostly anchovies. Their tendency to jump out of the water is usually due to the need to avoid obstacles, in response to confusing stimuli such as bright lights, or to escape dangerous situations. It belongs to the Belonidae family, commonly known by its common name pipefish. As its name suggests, It is characterized by its elongated anatomy, particularly in its jaws, as well as small, very sharp teeth.They can jump onto small obstacles out of the water, such as boats or small boats. Because of the strength of these impulses, A frontal attack by this fish can have fatal consequences.,

Although sharks have the worst reputation, the risk posed by pipefish is greater, mainly because They are usually found close to the coast. For Pacific island communities, who spend a lot of time around shallow reefs, the chances of encountering a harmless-looking fish are high. Without going any further, a non-fatal incident occurred in Indonesia in 2020 in which a needle fish injured the neck of a child. In 2018, it led to the death of a Thai Navy Special Forces cadet, and in 2014, a Russian tourist in Vietnam was maimed by another attack.

A study conducted by the IUCN Center for Cooperation, as part of the Mediterranean Red List initiative, finds that 15% of these fish are “near threatened”And, according to experts, Climate change has caused them to move closer to the coastIn Barcelona it has been seen on several occasions during snorkeling tours and even after it was spotted last September, Plaza Gran Palamos in Verona was closed, as the Civil Protection indicated that “it is dangerous. Maybe” and the red flag was hoisted in the area nearest to the port of Palamos.

In fact, the occasions in which a pipefish puts humans in danger They are typical and unusual eventsTherefore this species does not pose a real threat. Nevertheless, experts who study the behavior of this species recommend that, if you are in waters where there are schools of pipefish nearby, It’s best to leave that placeSince you can’t predict when they will jump towards the boats.