A man was killed off the Maui coastline while fishing on Dec. 2 after being bitten by a shark, according to CNN.

"We offer our condolences to the family of the victim. Our thoughts and prayers are with them," said William J. Aila, Jr., the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) chairman, in a statement, according to CNN.

The attack took place around 9:00 a.m., according to the Associated Press.

The man, identified as Patrick A. Briney, 57, of Stevenson, Washington, was fishing for bait, and had his foot off the edge of the kayak when a shark attacked him.

The fisherman's leg was bitten off along with part of his calf muscle.

Police received a report around 10:20 a.m. that Briney had been injured, according to CNN.

"We are not sure why these bites are occurring more frequently than normal, especially around Maui," said DLNR Chairman William Aila Jr, according to AP. "That's why we are conducting a two-year study of shark behavior around Maui that may give us better insights."

This is the second incident to take place in Hawaii in the past four months, as a German woman was attacked and killed by a shark in August according to the Daily Mail.

There have been eight attacks near Maui this year alone, according to ABC News.

Beaches in the nearby area have been closed since the Dec. 2 attack, but could reopen soon if no more sharks are seen.

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