Sharing the Water with Sharks

COVERING THE TAMPA BAY AND ITS WATERSHED

Sharing the Water with Sharks:
Experts offer tips on co-existing with one of earth's oldest predators
- Reprinted with permission from Florida Marine Research Institute

Who will ever forget the story of eight-year-old Jessie Arbogast trying to escape the grip of a 7-foot-long, 250-pound bull shark? The shark attack near Pensacola in July 2001 made national headlines.

For months to follow, shark attacks were making news, gaining lots of publicity and raising public concern. Time Magazine dubbed it "Summer of the Shark," even though there were less shark attacks in 2001 (34) than the previous year, and even fewer since then.

Experts say while there are no guaranteed ways to avoid shark attacks, understanding their overall make-up and behavior could help you make better decisions about when and where to swim.

"It's important for people visiting Florida waters to be aware of their surroundings, understand the relative risks and be educated," said Brent Winner, scientist for the Florida Marine Research Institute.

Sharks and their ancestors have been roaming Florida waters for more than 400 million years. Over this time span, the role of the shark in its environment has changed very little. As a top predator in most marine ecosystems, they fill a very important role in maintaining balance within each ecosystem they inhabit.

Florida's shark population is very diverse and includes species that range in size from only a few feet to more than 40 feet in length. Most of these species feed on fishes or marine invertebrates, and some even feed on plankton, but none see man as a food source. And despite media coverage, sharks do not hunt people.

Most shark attacks are considered cases of mistaken identity, which explains why nearly all shark attacks that occur in Florida are bite-and-release. In fact, fatal shark attacks have dramatically decreased worldwide from a peak of 50% in the 1920s to only 10% in recent years, and shark attacks in Florida are fatal only 1% of the time.

Millions of tourists and residents will visit Florida beaches and waterways this year, and more than likely, these waters will contain sharks. Many shark species are common in Florida's nearshore waters and bays, particularly in summer, when sharks tend to move inshore and north.

This explains why shark activity is at its peak in Florida from April through October. Still, shark attacks are very rare. Humans are 30 times more likely to be struck by lightning than bitten by a shark.

The fact remains that humans are more dangerous to sharks than vice versa. Fewer than 10 people die worldwide from shark attacks each year, whereas the world's fisheries kill an estimated 100 million sharks annually. Becoming more aware and educated about sharks and the issues surrounding them not only will help ensure our own safety but also the continued existence of these fascinating fishes.

While shark bites in Florida waters are extremely rare, concerned individuals can take the following precautions:

Always stay in groups since sharks are more likely to attack a solitary individual.
Do not wander too far from shore-this isolates an individual, placing them far away from assistance.
Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight hours when sharks are most active.
Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or menstruating-a shark's olfactory ability is acute.
Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged because the reflected light resembles the sheen of fish scales.