While global shark attacks have seen a significant decrease in 2024, a recent incident in Del Mar, California, serves as a reminder of the potential dangers. A swimmer was attacked by an unidentified shark species, prompting beach closures and highlighting the importance of safety measures.
A 46-year-old swimmer suffered significant injuries after being attacked by a shark off the coast of Del Mar , California on June 2, 2024. The incident prompted officials to close a 2-mile stretch of beach to swimmers and surfers as a precautionary measure. This attack comes amid a global trend of declining unprovoked shark attacks .
According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), which monitors shark incidents worldwide, there were 47 unprovoked shark attacks globally in 2024, down 22 from the previous year and significantly below the 10-year average of 70.The ISAF only includes unprovoked attacks in its database, meaning those in which the person does not initiate contact with the shark. Florida had the highest number of attacks last year with 14 incidents, eight of which occurred in Volusia County, home to Daytona Beach. Many of these Florida bites were likely caused by blacktip sharks, which are known to frequent breeding grounds along the northeast Florida coastline. Juveniles of this species often mistake humans for their usual prey of fish, stingrays, and other sharks due to limited visibility.Surfing remains a popular activity that attracts sharks, as surfers often venture into areas with high turbidity (suspended particles in the water) where baitfish congregate. This increased turbidity also reduces visibility, making it harder for sharks to see and potentially leading to mistaken identities. Joe Miguez, data manager for the ISAF, suggests that a combination of factors, including changes in oceanic currents, fluctuations in human activity in coastal waters, and shifts in the popularity of water activities, likely contributed to the decline in attacks. While scientists can't pinpoint a single cause, the overall trend indicates that humans are not a primary target for sharks. Neil Hammerschlag, an executive director of the Shark Research Foundation, emphasizes that most shark incidents are cases of mistaken identity and that sharks don't actively seek out humans.Despite the decreasing number of attacks, experts like Greg Skomal, a senior fisheries scientist at the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, believe that public awareness and behavior changes have played a role in reducing bites off Cape Cod, where there have been no incidents since 2018. Skomal credits increased knowledge about white shark hunting grounds and public efforts to avoid deep water and solitary swimming in high-risk areas. The chances of a human being bitten by a shark remain incredibly low overall, offering reassurance that these encounters are relatively rare
SHARK ATTACKS DEL MAR CALIFORNIA OCEAN SAFETY FLORIDA SURFING INTERNATIONAL SHARK ATTACK FILE SHARK BEHAVIOR
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