Florida International University researcher bitten while measuring sharks for Everglades study

Fla. researcher bitten while measuring sharks

MIAMI — Florida International University officials say one of their researchers was bitten in the elbow while measuring sharks for research on their ecological impact in the coastal Everglades.

Mike Heithaus, director of FIU’s School of Environment and Society, says marine biologist Kirk Gastrich was bit by a six-foot lemon shark near the mouth of Shark River on Wednesday. Two other researchers with Gastrich called for help, and he was transported to a South Florida hospital.

Heithaus, who is Gastrich’s boss, says the injuries were relatively minor and don’t appear to be life-threatening.

It’s not clear how Gastrich got bit. Heithaus says Gastrich has measured and tagged hundreds of sharks over the years.