Shark Attacks Off Florida Leave Multiple Injured, But Experts Say Beachgoers Shouldn't Be Alarmed
Three Separate Incidents Occur in Gulf Coast Area
Despite the recent attacks, experts say the risk of being bitten by a shark is still very low.
Three people were injured in two separate shark attacks off the coast of Florida last week, authorities said. The first attack happened on Friday, when a man was bitten on the arm while swimming off the coast of Volusia County. The second attack happened on Saturday, when two people were bitten while swimming off the coast of Brevard County.
All three victims were taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. The Volusia County victim had to have surgery to repair his arm, but he is expected to make a full recovery. The Brevard County victims suffered minor injuries and were released from the hospital.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is investigating both attacks. The FWC is also urging beachgoers to be aware of their surroundings and to take precautions to avoid being bitten by a shark.
The FWC recommends that beachgoers swim in groups, avoid swimming in areas where there are known to be sharks, and not to swim at night. The FWC also recommends that beachgoers not wear jewelry or other shiny objects that could attract sharks.
Despite the recent attacks, experts say the risk of being bitten by a shark is still very low. According to the FWC, there have been just 10 fatal shark attacks in Florida since 1882.
“Shark attacks are very rare,” said George Burgess, director of the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum of Natural History. “The chances of being bitten by a shark are about one in 3.7 million.”
Burgess said the recent attacks are a reminder that sharks are apex predators and that they will attack if they feel threatened. However, he said beachgoers should not be afraid to swim in the ocean.
“The ocean is their home,” Burgess said. “We’re just visitors.”
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