How common are shark attacks near South Padre Island?

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas – Four people were injured by shark bites on South Padre Island on July 4, so we investigated how common such incidents are.

Texas wildlife officials issued a statement explaining that such shark encounters are not common in Texas:

If shark bites do occur, it is usually a case of confusion between sharks searching for food.

The data supports this claim.

Dr. Kesley Banks, research scientist at the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, talks to our Robert Price about shark attacks along the Texas coast…

“We watch the news and say, ‘Okay, it’s time to prepare,'” Dr. Banks explained. “There is no news channel for animals. In the animal kingdom, even marine animals like sharks have an instinct for when these big events are happening and that they need to prepare for them. So these sharks go out and feed before this storm.”

We examined every shark attack in Texas since 1911 using the Shark Research Institute’s Global Shark Attack File.

Since 1911, there have been 71 shark bites or attacks in Texas, six of which were fatal. The last fatal attack was reported in August 1962 near Port Isabel on Padre Island.

Since 1953, there have been seven shark attacks on South Padre Island. Data shows that none of them were unprovoked and none were fatal. According to the database, the most recent attack occurred in 2017, when the Brownsville Herald reported that a woman suffered cuts to her foot.

RELATED TOPIC: 2 people bitten, at least 1 seriously, in July 4 shark attacks on South Padre Island

In addition, in 1984 there were reports of attacks on two people within a few hours.

POLL: Are you thinking twice about swimming off the Texas coast because of recent shark attacks?

The database shows that 18-year-old Carmen Gaytan was swimming off South Padre Island when a shark bit her on the legs, causing “severe lacerations.” About two and a half hours later, a 13-year-old girl was reportedly bitten on her right foot.

The July 4th bites have not yet been added to the database.

ValleyCentral reports that an 11-year-old girl sustained injuries on the beach in 2021, but at the time officials were unsure if a shark bite was the cause.

Texas wildlife officials said the two victims who were bitten were taken to Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville, where one is being treated and the other was flown out for further treatment.

Jim Pigg, fire chief of South Padre Island, Texas, issued a statement saying:

“We don’t know the species. We don’t know the reason why this happened. This is unprecedented here on South Padre Island. This is a very rare occurrence that occurs here on the beaches of South Padre.”

It is said that if you see large schools of bait near the shore, it is usually a sign that a predator is nearby. On the other hand, if you see a shark in the water, you should calmly get out of the water and wait until the predator has passed.

Fire Chief Pigg says:

“We will remain vigilant to ensure we respond quickly and appropriately when something is needed.