ShareThisA combination of more people going to local beaches and the natural migrating pattern of sharks has led to recent shark bite incidents in Florida, researchers said.
Sharks are starting to move north as water temperatures rise, with some sharks expected to reach southern New England by the end of the summer, said George Burgess, director of Florida Program for Shark Research at the University of Florida, in an e-mail.
Since last Friday, there have been several shark bite incidents, one each in St. Lucie and Palm Beach counties and one involving an Okeechobee County man at New Smyrna Beach.
"More people equal more chances to meet up with a shark, pure odds," Burgess wrote.
Sharks normally spotted in the water are black tip, spinner, blacknose and sharpnose sharks. Occasionally spotted are tiger, bull, lemon and hammerhead sharks, Burgess said.
Also, bull sharks are chasing tarpons that are migrating from the Bahamas to Florida's coast, said Neil Hammerschlag, director of the South Florida Student Shark Program at the University of Miami.
"Sharks, they're out for an easy meal," he said.
Lifeguards along Florida's Treasure Coast said they are monitoring the waters and informing beach-goers of any dangers.
"Sharks aren't looking to feed on people, but they are looking for bait fish," Martin County lifeguard Capt. Ray Szefinski said.
Vero Beach lifeguard Lt. Shanna Beard said she sometimes has to remind swimmers not to play in a pool of baitfish or take pictures in the water because the vibrations and light flashes could attract sharks.
"A lot of people see it as being fun and don't realize the danger," she said.
However, Hammerschlag said beach-goers should not panic and think, "it's not safe to go into the water."
"More people die from bee stings and tripping over sand castles and hitting their heads than from shark attacks," he said.
REDUCING RISK OF SHARK ATTACKS:
- Always stay in groups; sharks are more likely to attack a lone person.
- Do not wander too far from shore - this isolates an individual and additionally places one far away from assistance.
- Avoid being in the water during dawn or dusk hours when sharks are most active and have a competitive sensory advantage.
- Do not enter the water if bleeding or if menstruating - a shark's olfactory ability is acute and sharks are attracted to blood.
- Do not wear shiny jewelry because the reflected light resembles the sheen of fish scales.
- Sightings of porpoises do not indicate the absence of sharks - both often eat the same food items.
- Use extra caution when waters are murky and avoid uneven tanning and bright-colored clothing - sharks see contrast particularly well.
- Refrain from excess splashing, and do not allow pets in the water because of their erratic movements.
- Exercise caution when in the area between sandbars or near steep drop-offs - these are favorite hangouts for sharks.
Information provided by the International Shark Attack File Web site, University of Florida Museum of Natural History, www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/ISAF/ISAF.htm
(Keona Gardner writes for Scripps Treasure Coast (Fla.) Newspapers, The Stuart News, Fort Pierce Tribune and Vero Beach Press Journal.)
