Florida shark attacks are not rare. Sharks have lived in the oceans for hundreds of thousands of years and are the top apex predators in the world. But that still doesn’t make it any easier to hear that a shark attacked someone. Yes, the oceans and their inhabitants must be respected. But what do we do when they start coming closer and closer to shore? Some sharks are known for being able to swim in both fresh and saltwater areas, which makes the possibility of being attacked by a shark that much greater. But what happens when we can’t mitigate such attacks?
Florida Shark Attacks
Ah, the beautiful white sandy beaches of the Florida Panhandle. Some would say that it is a dream because of how crystal white the sand is and how serene and emerald green the waters are. But sometimes, a place as beautiful as this famous destination area doesn’t always have sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes, some of the most deadly creatures lurk in the water, waiting to strike. You will always see a shark in the water once it is right up on you, striking in an attack.
Locals say that there are more sharks in the Gulf of Mexico now than there were in the area some forty years ago. Sharks are not picky eaters by any means. They will literally eat anything, including other sharks. Walton County closed its beaches after reports of two shark attacks that left three people injured, one critically. Some are saying that it was a bull shark, while others are saying it could have been a tiger shark responsible for both attacks.
Bull sharks are the only known sharks that can survive in both freshwater and saltwater environments. The Gulf of Mexico is obviously a saltwater environment. The bull shark is believed to be behind all three attacks, which occurred just east of Seaside in Walton County, Florida. Now, whether it was just one bull shark or multiple bull sharks remains to be seen. Neighboring Bay County, where Panama City Beach is located, also closed its beaches because of the proximity of the attacks.
Three Injured in Shark Attacks; Two of Three Left Critical
Of the three people who were attacked recently, two of the victims were hospitalized with critical conditions. Both required some form of amputation of their extremities. The first victim was a 45-year-old woman who ended up suffering bites to her left arm, which was ultimately amputated. The next two victims were teenagers aged 15-17, according to some reports. One of the two victims was in critical condition, requiring multiple amputations and surgeries.
Both teenage victims were out swimming past the first sandbar when the attacks happened. While some shark attacks have been seen in ankle-deep waters, anything past the first sandbar leaves room for more extreme dangers. Many are always cautioned against swimming in between the sandbars because that is the usual feeding ground for sharks. These attacks mark the first shark-related incidents in Walton County in 2024.
Updates have been coming out in droves about the young victim, who has undergone multiple surgeries following her attack. Her mother has taken to social media to thank everyone for the overwhelming outpour of support for her daughter and their family. Seeing her daughter injured on vacation is not something she imagined would happen. It is something that no parent ever thinks is going to happen until it does.
Provoked or Unprovoked? That is the Question
All three attacks were likely unprovoked. All three victims were just wadding in the water when they were attacked. Florida is what the world calls “shark attack capital,” amongst many other nicknames. Just last year alone, the world saw 120 alleged shark-related incidents. Of those 120 alleged incidents, 69 were unprovoked attacks, while 22 of them were provoked. Who goes off and provokes a shark? That has got to be one of the most daring things someone can do.
Regardless of whether or not a shark attack is provoked, it is still devastating. The amount of shark attacks that occur in the Gulf of Mexico versus the Atlantic Ocean side of Florida, tells quite the tale. The Atlantic side of the state sees far more shark attacks than the Gulf side. Yes, locals will say they spotted a shark, but sometimes it’s not actually a shark because some people can’t tell the difference in the dorsal fins.
Education about sharks and water safety are extremely important. It is important to note that all shark attacks are categorized as either provoked or unprovoked. So while they occur, it is never just “oh I wasn’t doing anything to it”. Knowing that there are sharks surrounding the coastline is important wherever travels take you. Always be aware of your surroundings, in and out of the water. You never know what can or will happen.
About the Author
Amanda Bentle is a mother with many talents under her belt. She is also a wife, co-worker, friend, daughter, and sister. Writing is something that has always come naturally to her. Amanda is able to share her love of many hobbies, as she is not a one-hobby kind of gal, with her husband and son. Not only is Amanda a master of many talents and hobbies, but one of the many things she loves as much as her little family are the cats and dogs that she has rescued and welcomed into her little family over the last seven to ten years.
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