Tell Me About The Sharks

[thefury]

I'm returning to the beaches I loved as a child after too many years on the Atlantic coast in Hilton Head. My children tease me about not entering the water in HH any deeper than my calves and I have the movie Jaws to thank for that! What can I say? I simply like to see what's in the water around me. Since I've heard plenty about sharks in Gulf waters and my children, ages 6 and 10, love to swim, I have my concerns. Are these concerns valid? Help me out folks! I've had a nightmare or two about this.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Did you see this 1,061 lb, 12'6" long Mako Shark which almost sunk one of the two boats trying to pull it in, just a few hundred feet off the beach? They caught him in Navarre, a couple of weeks ago.

 

[pgurney]

SJ, that's not funny.

thefury,
If you're worried about it, don't let them swim past the second sand bar, if the water is murky, or near dusk or dawn.

 

[Smiling JOe]

If you are squating down in waist deep water, chances are you won't see the sharks which might swim near you. It isn't like JAWS, where you see the dorsel fin coming at you for a while. I don't recall ever seeing the dorsal fin of the Hammerhead which scared the ba-geezers out of about 50 moms and dads, and 70 children at Grayton last summer. The shark was only 5 ft long. :funn:

 

[Miss Kitty]

If you don't want the answer, don't ask the question!

 

[pgurney]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but is this how to treat visitors to the area that are asking sincere questions?

 

[Hop]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but is this how to treat visitors to the area that are asking sincere questions?

i agree... to the board fury...and yes there are sharks...but chances are...they are not interested in you...common sense...no jewelry...don't go too far out...and enjoy this glorious beach...the water is really incredible right now...

 

[Smiling JOe]

I, too, watched too many episodes of JAWS, and I used to be frightened to death of sharks, even when I didn't live within 3 hours of the water. JAWS has that effect on people. I am not posting untruthful shark stories here. Just the true ones, which are very few. You won't see me out past the first sand bar unless I'm on my kayak. Even when on my kayak out on the second sandbar, I think about big sharks, like that 12' Mako, and my heart starts beating a little faster. Last summer, I paddled maybe 20 feet behind two sharks, about 7' in length, for quite a while. I finally broke off and headed to shore. That was very cool. Uneasy at first, but then very cool.

 

[Kurt]

It's good to be reminded you're not at the top of the food chain. Cars and lightning are more dangerous than sharks. More people die every year when vending machines fall on them than from shark attacks.

Tips:

1. Swim, surf, or dive with other people, and don?t move too far away from assistance.
2. Stay out of the water at dawn, dusk, and night, when some species of sharks may move inshore to feed.
3. Do not enter the water if you have open wounds or are bleeding in any way. Sharks can detect blood and body fluids in extremely small concentrations.
4. Avoid murky waters, harbor entrances, and areas near stream mouths (especially after heavy rains), channels, or steep dropoffs. These types of waters are known to be frequented by sharks.
5. Do not wear high-contrast clothing or shiny jewelry. Sharks see contrast very well.
6. Refrain from excesive splashing; keep pets, which swim erratically, out of the water. Sharks are known to be attracted to such activity.
7. Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present, and leave the water quickly and calmly if one is sighted. Do not provoke or harass a shark, even a small one.
8. If fish or turtles start to behave erratically, leave the water. Be alert to the presence of dolphins, as they are prey for some large sharks.
9. Remove speared fish from the water or tow them a safe distance behind you. Do not swim near people fishing or spearfishing. Stay away from dead animals in the water.
10. Swim or surf at beaches patrolled by lifeguards, and follow their advice.

 

[Franny]

I never felt comfortable swimming in the Atlantic because of the dark, murky waters. At least our water is normally clear. Have a great trip and enjoy.