In a daring and ill-fated attempt that has left many shaking their heads, a 29-year-old Australian fisherman from remote north Queensland jumped into shark-infested waters armed only with a rope, hoping to lasso a nine-foot predator like a cowboy.
Josh “Ferrett” Neille’s bold mission quickly turned into a nightmare when the shark fought back, sinking its teeth into his right thigh and tearing out a chunk of flesh. The harrowing incident, captured on video by his friends, has since gone viral, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the waters off Cape York.
The dramatic footage shows a dreadlocked Neille dangling off the side of his boat in the waters near Weipa, leaning into the shark’s domain in an attempt to secure a rope around its tail. Initially appearing in control, the situation escalated within seconds. As Neille tried to wrestle the large shark closer to the vessel, the predator struck, locking its jaws onto his thigh and thrashing violently.
Neille later recounted the ordeal: “Just wanted to land the 9ft shark, so armed with a rope I dived into the shark and croc infested waters of remote far North Queensland and tried to wrestle it to the boat and tail rope it.”
“After a battle for 15 seconds I found myself locked in the shark’s jaws as it thrashed a chunk from the top of my right thigh,” he continued. “I was lucky not to lose my sea cucumber instead.”
The fisherman acknowledged the recklessness of his actions, describing the decision as “quick and regrettable.” His intention, he explained, was to release the shark alive without needing to gaff or kill it — a plan that went dangerously awry.
Neille was rushed for treatment at Weipa Hospital, where medical staff provided prompt care for the significant wound. Photos taken shortly after the attack show the deep bite mark on his thigh and blood covering his leg. In one image, he is seen bandaged on the boat, still holding the shark aloft. Another shows him posing alongside the captured predator, which appears to have been landed and is hanging from the vessel.
The remote waters around Weipa, in Queensland’s far north, are known for their high concentration of sharks and crocodiles, making Neille’s impromptu dive even more perilous.
While the fisherman survived with a painful reminder of his encounter, the video has sparked widespread discussion about the thin line between bravery and foolhardiness when facing one of nature’s most formidable predators. Neille’s story joins a growing list of dramatic human-shark interactions in Australian waters, including a recent incident involving a porn star filming an advertisement.
Despite the injury, Neille expressed gratitude to the hospital staff for their assistance. His experience underscores a simple truth in these wild northern territories: respect for the ocean’s apex predators is not optional — it’s essential.