Movies have long made sharks the villains, lurking in coastal waters, just waiting for us humans to dip our toes in the sea.
But, that’s not the case, a new study shows.
Researchers at California State University, Long Beach, used drones to study juvenile white sharks along the Southern California coastline and how close they swim to humans in the water. Turns out, it’s pretty close.
Biting-distance close.
The study discovered that in some beaches in Southern California, people and young great white sharks share the same waters almost daily. The sharks in study were found primarily in the wave-break zone – the point where waves begin to crest – and where surfers and beachgoers are.
Shark bite incidents remain rare, however. According to the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File, 41 unprovoked bites and one fatality were reported in the U.S. in 2022. The chances of being attacked and killed by a shark are 1 in 3.75 million.
Where sharks prefer to swim
The sharks observed in the study often swam within 50 yards of the wave breaks − closest to surfers and stand-up paddleboarders.
“Most of the time, water users didn’t even know the sharks were there, but we could easily see them from the air,” said Patrick Rex, a Cal State Long Beach graduate student who led the study.
In tropical regions, where the water is consistently warm, sharks are found in the greatest variety of species and populations.
When sharks do attack humans, they are typically confused or curious. If a shark sees a human splashing in the water, a case of mistaken identity can lead to an attack.
Sharks involved in unprovoked attacks
Of the more than 500 species of sharks in the ocean, the sharks noted below have been implicated the most in unprovoked attacks. Although some sharks are commonly misidentified after attacks, these species were named most often in attack reports. The great white, tiger and bull sharks are the “Big Three” capable of causing the serious injuries.
What state has the most shark attacks?
It should be no surprise: Florida ranks the highest in unprovoked shark attacks. The state has more than 8,000 miles of coastline, and it has the most potential for bite incidents.
Most common activity at time of unprovoked shark attack
Bucking recent trends, surfers and waterboard riders showed fewer cases of shark incidents at 35%, while swimmers and waders ncarried the majority of cases at 43%. People who were snorkeling or free-diving made up 9% of total shark incidents.
Five ways to reduce your risk of an attack
• Have a swimming buddy: Don’t enter the water alone.• Don’t swim at dawn or at dusk. The light is low, which can increase the likelihood of a shark mistaking you for other prey.• Don’t enter waters where there is fishing activity.• Don’t wear shiny jewelry. It can catch the sunlight and glint, much like the fish sharks prey upon.• Try to avoid splashing. It generates a sound similar to that of struggling fish, which can attract sharks.
SOURCE The Associated Press; Floridapanhandle.com; Florida Museum of Natural History
CONTRIBUTING AP; Robert Abitbol, USA TODAY
