NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 26-year-old man became Volusia County's 18th shark bite victim of the year Wednesday.

The latest attack happened near the jetties on the New Smyrna Beach side of the Ponce de Leon Inlet.

The Volusia County Beach Patrol said Alexander Zgura was surfing in the area when a 6-foot shark grabbed his lower left leg.

Lifeguards said Zgura had over a dozen cuts between his knee and ankle, but chose to drive himself to the hospital.

The beach patrol said the attack may have been caused by a large number of bait fish in the water, which sharks feed on.

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