SURFERS have been warned about an increase in shark attacks over the coming months as fall creates the “perfect storm” for bites.

So far in October, there have been two reported incidents involving surfers and sharks in Hawaii.

A historical graph released by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources shows average monthly data from 1950 to 2022 of unprovoked shark incidents.

While July and September show less than 10 attacks, October has almost 40, followed by November with an average of 20.

On Thursday, a 30-year-old tourist from Spain was bitten in the thigh by a tiger shark at Pua’ena Point.

Workers from the surf school rushed to help him out of the water and to tourniquet the gaping wound.

He was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Waialua resident and surfer Nico Gomez told KITV: “I make sure I’m not in the water at the right time which is early mornings, after sunset, and after a big rainfall where the water is running off and you’re getting all the reeds and whatnot coming down from the river.”

He says this “creates a perfect storm to get bit for an investigative bite.

“They can’t see the water clarity, usually it’s sharp teeth and soft skin that don’t make the match.”

The attack came just over a week after Kevin Kanehe, 50, had a tiger shark clamp down on his leg at Hanalei Bay on the island of Kauai.

Read Related Also: My tenant had to sleep in his car after his condo association abruptly kicked him out – it wasn’t even his fault

The surfer shoved his fingers in the shark’s nose in order to scare it off during the attack on October 15.

He was able to make it back to shore and got medical attention.

“The bite went to the bone above and below his knee, taking some chips off his femur, knee cap, and tibia,” Kanehe’s wife, Deanna, said on a GoFundMe page raising money for his medical expenses.

Surf coach Aina Kane warned: “If you’re out surfing and you see one like swimming, usually if they’re in near the shoreline it’s not for a good reason.

“They don’t like to come in unless they’re hungry.”

He said when a shark is spotted he and his students leave the water and sometimes do not return for a few days.

Aquatic Resources Division Administrator Bruce Anderson told Maui Now: “October is the month with the greatest number of shark bites.

“We recommend ocean users exercise a little more caution this month especially, and also through the end of the year.”

It is thought that the spike occurs during this month due to the migration of pregnant tiger sharks to the main islands in order to give birth.

This also comes with an increased need for food which could make more accidental human bites inevitable.