Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 31
Experts Issue 6 Shark-Bite Safety Tips as White Shark Activity Rises Off Southern California
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 31

Experts Issue 6 Shark-Bite Safety Tips as White Shark Activity Rises Off Southern California

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 31

Summary

  • White shark activity has increased this year, and marine biologist Chris Lowe said Southern California should expect even more sharks near shore in August through October.
  • 6 expert tips center on checking beach warnings, avoiding bait fish, birds, seals and dead marine life, staying closer to shore, and skipping dawn, dusk and solo swims.
  • California records about 3 shark bites a year and roughly 1 fatality every third year, Lowe said, while Florida lifeguards have seen only a couple of minor heel-or-toe bites.
  • Drone data from the past 6 years show white sharks are around people almost daily yet usually ignore them, reinforcing experts' message that encounters rarely turn into bites.

Insights

While viral videos make us fear great whites, are we ignoring the silent, deadly ocean threat that claims far more lives?
With warming waters pushing juvenile great whites closer to shores, how will our daily beach routines change to avoid them?
A surfer missed a great white breaching inches away; what other invisible predators are swimming beside us right now?