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Florida Reports Four Shark Bites in Six Days

Daytona Beach along the Atlantic Sea, Florida
Daytona Beach along the Atlantic Sea, Florida aerial view. Image by jovannig via Depositphotos

Known as the shark bite capital of the world, Volusia County, nestled in the heart of Florida’s coastline, has become the epicenter for shark attacks. Since 1882, 351 attacks have occurred, 150 more than anywhere in the world.

The harrowing label “shark bite capital of the world” once belonged to France’s Reunion Island. But, after banning all water activities, they transformed their once-populated beaches into empty stretches of sand, prioritizing safety over tourism. Should Volusia County consider doing the same?

When Did the Attacks take place?

video inside Shark
Image by Los Muertos via Pexels

Within the space of six days, spanning from July 4 – July 10, four people were attacked. Fortunately, none were fatal, but all were hospitalized.

Where in Volusia County?

bull shark
Bull Shark. Image by Andaman via depositphotos.com

Two bites were recorded on New Smyrna Beach, one at Ponce Inlet, and the most recent event took place on Daytona Beach – each is within a few kilometers of the other.

Victim 1: Ohio Tourist Bitten While Playing Football

Bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) at Beqa shark dive Fiji Photo by Amanderson

On July 4, a 21-year-old man from Ohio, Connor Baker, was playing football in knee-deep water at New Smyrna Beach when he suddenly felt something stab the top and bottom of his foot. “My first instinct was I yanked my foot out, and then just kind of took off,” Baker told FOX 35.

He was rushed to a local hospital for surgery, where it was discovered that four of his tendons had been ruptured. Baker has since returned to Ohio and is expected to recover fully in six to eight weeks. “I feel lucky that I should be able to be back to normal at some point,” he said.

Victim 2: Sarasota Man Bitten While Wading

bull shark
Picture shows a Bulls shark at the Bahamas. Image by Divepics via Depositphotos

The following day, another visitor was bitten by a shark at New Smyrna Beach. A 26-year-old man from Sarasota was wading in an inner tube in five-feet-deep water when he was bitten on his left foot. He was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Victim 3: Lifeguard Trainee Attacked During Drill

great white shark vs. tiger shark
Image by Gerald Schombs via Unsplash

On July 8, a 14-year-old boy participating in a lifeguard training camp in Ponce Inlet was bitten by a shark on his calf. Dempsey Manhart initially thought he had collided with another person during the drill but soon realized it was a shark. “I dove onto it, and I hit the shark,” Manhart recounted. “I hit it with my hands, and then I stood up, and it spun around and was like underneath my legs. And I think it bit me then when it was wrapped around my feet.” Manhart required 14 stitches but is otherwise fine and remains undeterred from swimming. “I think that it’s something really rare that can happen. And if it’s happened once, I doubt it’s going to happen again,” he said.

Victim 4: Missouri Tourist Bitten in Knee-Deep Water

mako shark
Image by Ultimate Predator Productions via Youtube

On July 10, a 14-year-old tourist from Missouri was bitten by a shark on his left foot while swimming in knee-deep water in Daytona Beach Shores. He was also transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Volusia County Beach Safety.

Types of Sharks that Can Cause Fatal Blows

Great white
Great white breaching. Image by Mlbay via Pixabay

Several apex predators roam the oceans; let’s take a look at which one can cause the most harm:

Great White Shark

Scientists Release 200-Gallons Synthetic Blood from Whale Decoy to Lure the Queen Boss of Great White Sharks
14-foot Great White. Image by Discovery via YouTube.

The Great White Shark is one of the most feared predators in the ocean. Known for its powerful jaws and sharp teeth, it can grow up to 20 feet long. This shark is responsible for the most unprovoked attacks on humans.

Bull Shark

bull shark
Picture shows a Bulls shark at the Bahamas. Image by Divepics via Depositphotos

Bull Sharks are known for their aggressive behavior and ability to thrive in both salt and freshwater. They are often found in shallow, murky waters, making them particularly dangerous to swimmers.

Tiger Shark

Tiger shark
Tiger sharks have excellent sense of smell and sight. Image via Kris Mikael Krister, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tiger Sharks are notorious for their indiscriminate eating habits. They can grow up to 16 feet long and have a distinctive pattern of dark stripes on their bodies. They are known to attack humans unprovoked.

Characteristics of Dangerous Sharks

Mako shark
Mako Shark in the water. Image by Mark Conlin via Wikimedia Commons
  • Great White Shark: Known for its size and power, it has a torpedo-shaped body and a large mouth filled with serrated teeth.
  • Bull Shark: Stout body with a blunt, rounded snout. They are known to be highly territorial.
  • Tiger Shark: Recognizable by the dark vertical stripes on its body and its broad, flat head.

How to Avoid Shark Attacks

Shark
Image by bluegroper via Pixabay
  • Avoid swimming at dawn, dusk, or night: Sharks are most active during these times.
  • Stay in groups: Sharks are more likely to attack solitary individuals.
  • Avoid areas with seals: Sharks’ primary prey are seals, so their presence can attract sharks.
  • Do not enter the water if bleeding: Sharks can detect blood from miles away.

Best Times to Swim

Watch Two Kids Swim Near Great White Shark
Great White Shark. Image by TheMalibuArtist via YouTube
  • Mid-morning to late afternoon: These are generally safer times when sharks are less active.
  • Clear, sunny days: Visibility is better, reducing the chance of surprising a shark.

Advances in Shark Detection Technology

mako shark
Image screenshot on: GIANT Mako Shark Attacks My Camera While Filming for Shark Week 2024! Source: Youtube. Uploaded: Ultimate Predator Productions.

Recent technological advancements have led to the development of drones and underwater sensors that can detect the presence of sharks, providing an additional layer of safety for swimmers.

Shark Conservation Efforts

Live sharksucker (Echeneis naucrates) and the sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus), also known as the grey nurse shark. Image by wrangel via Depositphotos

Despite their fearsome reputation, sharks are essential to ocean ecosystems. Conservation efforts are crucial to maintaining the balance of marine life and protecting shark populations from decline.