Fisherperson Hurt by Fish's Fin in Uncommon Marine Mishap
In an unusual turn of events, a sports fisherman off the coast of Louisiana experienced a life-threatening injury while reeling in a white marlin. The man, an experienced angler, was left with severe trauma after the marlin's sharp bill pierced through the foramen magnum, a critical area of the skull where the spinal cord passes.
The incident marked the first known instance of a fish bill causing an injury to the foramen magnum. Doctors found a wedge-shaped object lodged in the back of the man's throat, penetrating deep into his spinal canal. The object was identified as a fragment of the marlin's bill, which had broken off during the impact.
The surgeons faced a challenging and delicate surgical procedure due to the lodged bill fragment. They administered five different types of antibiotics to the patient to prevent infection. Remarkably, the man made a full recovery and was discharged from the hospital eight days after surgery.
Deep-sea fishing can pose various risks, with injuries ranging from stings and envenomations to physical injuries from marine mammals. However, this case stands out as an extraordinary event.
Common marine life-related injuries during deep-sea fishing include stings and envenomations from creatures like the Portuguese Man o’ War, stings and punctures from sea urchins and stingrays, physical injuries from interactions with large marine mammals, and entanglements or cuts from fishing gear.
Prevention measures include avoiding direct contact with hazardous marine life, wearing protective gloves and footwear, carefully managing fishing equipment, exercising caution on wet, slippery decks, not handling stranded marine mammals, and being prepared with first aid supplies.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety precautions during deep-sea fishing. It also adds to a long history of strange skull injuries, including that of Phineas Gage, a 19th-century railroad worker who survived an explosive accident that drove an iron rod through his skull.
Despite the rarity of such incidents, this case underscores the need for continued vigilance and adherence to safety protocols to ensure a safe and enjoyable deep-sea fishing experience.
References:
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (n.d.). Marine life injuries. Retrieved from https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/marine_life_injuries.htm
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (n.d.). Fishing vessel safety. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/dte/grant_programs/maritime/fishing_vessel_safety.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Marine envenomations and injuries. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/docs/marine_envenomations_injuries.pdf
- Marine Mammal Center. (n.d.). Stranded marine mammals. Retrieved from https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/learn/stranded-animals/stranded-marine-mammals/
- International Labour Organization (ILO). (n.d.). Fishing vessels safety. Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/fishing-vessel-safety/lang--en/index.htm
