Shark attacks are rare, but here’s what to do if you see one: NPR

In this September 5, 2019 photo, a shark warning sign is seen at Newcomb Hollow Beach in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.

Susan Haigh/AP

Hide caption

Show/hide label

Susan Haigh/AP

At least two people were bitten by sharks in Florida this week, including a 14-year-old boy who accidentally dove into one of the animals during a lifeguard training exercise.

Four beachgoers in Florida and Texas were injured in shark attacks over the Fourth of July weekend.

And late last month, 49-year-old actor and professional surfer Tamayo Perry died after being attacked by a shark off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii.

Stories of violent encounters between sharks and swimmers can scare the recreational sector, lead to beach closures and bring images of films such as The White shark.

However, shark experts believe that the risk of an attack is extremely low.

“It’s quite common for people to encounter sharks. It’s very rare for them to know about it,” says Catherine Macdonald, director of the Shark Research & Conservation Program at the University of Miami.

Sharks inhabit the entire ocean, Macdonald says, and they sometimes swim into shallow waters near shore to hunt fish or avoid larger sharks. When sharks encounter humans, they usually just swim away.

Humans are not part of sharks’ diet, which for most species consists primarily of smaller fish or invertebrates. When they attack people, it’s likely because they’re confused or curious, according to the National Ocean Service.

So when an attack does occur, it is unusual. “Compared to the number of people who spend their leisure time in our oceans, shark bites are incredibly rare,” says Macdonald.

According to a global count of shark attacks called the International Shark Attack File kept by the Florida Museum of Natural History, there were 69 unprovoked bites in 2023. That’s just over the five-year average of 63 shark attacks.

Macdonald said several factors could contribute to a possible increase in shark attacks, including an increase in reports, a greater number of water sports enthusiasts and the fact that beachgoers spend more time on the shore during the year.

Warmer waters caused by climate change can also lead to an increase in shark populations in certain areas.

Safety on the beach

In the unlikely event that you spot a shark in the water near you, “normal wildlife rules apply,” Macdonald says.

Stay calm. If the shark’s behavior makes you uncomfortable, calmly move away and leave the water.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also recommends that swimmers stay in groups, avoid the water when they are bleeding or it is dark, and avoid wearing shiny jewelry, which can look like fish scales to a shark.

If a shark attacks you, fight back. “If you’re in an animal’s mouth, I’d go for the sensitive areas – eyes, gills – that make you regret having you in its mouth,” says Macdonald. “But I always want to add this with a caveat: keep your hands to yourself until you’re in the mouth.”

Victims of shark attacks can also defend themselves with items such as surfboards, diving equipment or fishing tackle, explains the Victorian Fisheries Authority in Australia.

If you or someone else is bitten by a shark, try to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible and seek medical attention, no matter how small the wound, the group adds.

However, Macdonald points out that other animals are far more deadly than sharks, including moose, hippos and even domestic dogs. There are also other dangers to be concerned about on the beach, such as dehydration, sun exposure, undercurrents and drowning, she adds.

“When people ask me about beach safety risks and what they should be concerned about, I tell them that the most dangerous thing they will probably do that day is drive to the beach.”