The final day of the World Surf League (WSL) New Zealand Pro competition faced an unexpected and frightening suspension on Monday, after a marine animal attacked a photographer working in the waters off Raglan, on New Zealand’s North Island. Organizers have yet to confirm whether the aggressor was a shark or a sea lion, but the incident sent shockwaves through the event and forced an immediate pause to the men’s semi-final round. At the time of the attack, elite Brazilian surfers Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira were mid-competition, and both competitors witnessed the sudden incident unfold. WSL officials immediately activated a “code red” emergency protocol, halting all on-water activity while rapid-response medical teams rushed to the scene to assist the injured photographer. The victim has been identified as Ed Sloane, an Australian water photographer who has become a familiar figure on the WSL circuit. Renato Hickel, WSL Vice President of Tours and Competition, confirmed in an interview during the league’s live broadcast that Sloane suffered small puncture wounds from the attack, and was immediately transported to a local hospital via ambulance for further treatment. “We activate code red whenever there is a marine life attack on a competitor or event staff, and this time it was our beloved water photographer,” Hickel told broadcast viewers. “Thank God he is in good spirits, he is doing as well as can be expected after what happened.” Hickel added that while investigators have not formally confirmed the animal’s identity, the on-scene treating doctor leaned toward the conclusion that the attack came from a sea lion rather than a shark. He also noted that the two competing surfers, who saw the splash and the attack unfold from the water, were left deeply shaken by the incident, which reinforced organizers’ decision to pause the event immediately. After the attack, Sloane released a brief statement through WSL to share his condition and thank response teams for their quick action. “I am doing okay, I’ve had bites to my left foot and am getting medical attention,” Sloane said. “I love this place and can’t wait to watch an epic Finals Day. Cheering for everyone for a great finish to the event.” After a several-hour pause to assess safety and deploy additional protective measures, WSL organizers resumed the competition. New safety protocols added for the remainder of the event include extra jet skis positioned for rapid response, and a dedicated drone spotter to continuously monitor the water for any potential marine threats. As of the conclusion of the event’s restart, the exact species of the attacking creature remains unconfirmed. The WSL holds its annual competitive season between April and December each year, traveling to iconic surf destinations across the globe to crown its annual champions.