In the wake of a series of shark attacks along Florida’s coast, experts are urging beachgoers to remain calm and not to let fear deter them from enjoying the ocean. While the recent incidents have sparked concern among locals and tourists alike, marine biologists and safety professionals emphasize that shark attacks are still exceedingly rare and can be mitigated with proper precautions
Florida Beachgoers Urged Not to Panic Amid Increase in Shark Attacks
A pair of rare shark attacks off Florida’s coast left three people injured last week, but experts say there’s no need for beachgoers to be alarmed.
In just 1½ hours on Friday, two attacks occurred on separate beaches. The first incident involved a 45-year-old woman swimming past the first sandbar in Watersound, about 120 miles west of Tallahassee. She lost part of her left arm and suffered serious injuries to her midsection. Just a few miles away in Fort Walton, two teenage girls, aged 15 and 17, were attacked while swimming with friends. One girl had significant injuries to her hand and leg, while the other received minor wounds to her foot.
Sharks attack three swimmers off Florida beaches https://t.co/kunmLNbUbg
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) June 9, 2024
On the same day, a 25-year-old woman was seriously injured by a shark near the Hawaiian island of Oahu and was taken to a trauma hospital.
“It’s rare, exceedingly rare, to have three victims in one day,” said South Walton Fire District Fire Chief Ryan Crawford at a news conference.
While shark attacks and fatalities increased last year, experts insist these numbers aren’t extraordinary. The International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida reported 69 unprovoked bites worldwide last year, slightly up from the five-year average of 63. Over half of these incidents occurred in the United States, with 16 in Florida alone. There were 10 fatalities, an increase from the previous year.
This year, shark bites have decreased overall, according to Gavin Naylor, head of the research program. However, he noted that the number might rise as warmer weather brings more people into the water.
