Shark attack brings back memories for Kiwi victim

Mick Fanning attacked by a shark during the Final of the JBay Open. Photo / Supplied

A Southland doctor who survived a shark attack last year says the experience did not stop him from getting back in the water - in fact he spent most of last summer diving for crayfish in "shark infested" waters.

James Grant made headlines around the world in January, 2014 when he stitched up his own wound after being attacked by a shark while spearfishing near Cosy Nook, off the south coast.

He and his friends, on the way to Southland Hospital, then stopped off at a nearby pub for a pint of beer - where staff gave him bandages to stop him dripping blood on the floor.

Dr Grant had managed to fight off the shark, believed to be a sevengill, by stabbing it with his diving knife.

But this was "not quite the same as a great white shark like Mick Fanning", he joked last night.

The 26-year-old said the video of the three-time surfing world champion being attacked in South Africa on Sunday had brought back memories of his own experience.

"He looked pretty shaken up, and I remember that's how I felt after it had happened."

Fanning told media in Sydney yesterday that he was keen to return to the water despite his close call.

Dr Grant said it was the same for him after his attack.

"It hasn't set me back at all, I was out most days over the summer diving for crayfish in the shark infested waters around Ruapuke Island in Foveaux Strait.

"There was one day I went for a dive after seeing [a] shark fin pass by the boat but it didn't cause us any bother and I didn't even see it when I was in the water."

He said when you are out spearfishing that was one of the risks you took, and he has accepted that.

Dr Grant said the video of Fanning's attack had also reignited the topic with his friends and family.

"It's funny talking about it at work with people, they are just bringing up that story again.

"But we all thought the funnier part of the story was the media response to it - at the time it was more of just something that happened at the weekend, we didn't care that much about it, but then the media picked up on the story and it went all around the world."