Local dive boat captain Jim Abernethy bitten by shark in Bahamas

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A well-known shark expert was bitten on a diving expedition on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the Coast Guard, Jim Abernethy was was diving off of a commercial vessel he operates called the 'Shear Water' when he was bitten on the arm by a lemon shark. He was airlifted to St. Mary's Trauma Center in West Palm Beach where he is in 'good condition.'

He is not expected to lose his arm, which has already been stitched up.

He says that he is much more concerned about the sharks than he is about himself.

"Today's minor incident will not deter me. I will continue my mission to help protect these beautiful animals and share their grace and wonder with others," he said in a statement.

"My concern is for the future of sharks, and that more than 200 thousand are killed each day for shark-fin soup."

He said he will be back to sea in a few days.

In 2008, a 49 year old Austrian tourist was bitten by a shark while diving from the same boat in the Bahamas while scuba diving. He died after bleeding to death from the bite.