Shark Attack

[Smiling JOe]

The first attack was reported as a bull shark - uncertain about the second one. One thing is if the reports are true and the second one hit a femoral artery - he will be lucky if he doesn't bleed to death - it only takes seconds for that to happen.

Hopefully the boy will recover.

I just donated some blood this morning. I hope this kid makes it.

 

[flipfloppammy]

A lot of us water ski and swim in the bay. And Yes, there are bull sharks in the bay according to some of the fisherman. I have not seen them but makes sense, bull sharks can live in salt water and freshwater. Just wondering has anyone ever been attached by a bull shark on the bay?

About 4 years ago my then teenaged daughter and her friend were kayaking in those little plastic kayaks around the edge of the bay. They were attacked by about 20 bull sharks ramming their boats. My daughter thought they were dolphins trying to play with them! They made it into shore and called me from someone's house to come and get them at Piney Point, which is the entrance to Alaqua Bayou in the Choctawhatchee Bay. We called and reported the sharks to the Florida Marine Patrol who confirmed they were indeed bull sharks....they also said they hadn't heard of them being in this part of the area. She was in quite a panic when she learned they were sharks and not dolphins!

 

[Camp Creek Kid]

I use a brand called "Stay on the Beach."

By the way, Bull Sharks can be found in the Bay and I hear they love the Intercoastal. Bull Sharks are also capable of living in the lakes, like Western Lake, where the water is opened to the Gulf on occasion.

Smiling JOe, I'm surprised that you're afraid to venture out into the gulf. Didn't think you were the type to be afraid of sharks, or to admit that you were--thats alright because I'm right there with you.

 

[DBOldford]

Just read the news report about the boy at Cape San Blas who was attacked by another shark today. He is critical but stabilized. Last week, we noticed in the excellent aerial photos posted on this Web site that the sand bars and deep water trough in between are much closer to shore along South Walton and Okaloosa County beaches since Ivan and moreso since Tropical Storm Arlene. In fact, we were discussing how surprising it was that Arlene resulted in so much sand movement. Swimming in that deep blue strip is like standing in the middle of the freeway, always has been so. Too bad there's not more education about sharps and other creatures of the deep, such as our jellyfish and Portugese Man o'Wars. Also, those cute little silver ankle bracelets the girls wear with their swimsuits need to be confined to the swimming pool.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Smiling JOe, I'm surprised that you're afraid to venture out into the gulf. Didn't think you were the type to be afraid of sharks, or to admit that you were--thats alright because I'm right there with you.

Excuse me, haven't you heard about the movie JAWS!? It hasn't stopped me from fishing, but I don't care to be bitten by something with 3 rows of teeth.
(I did not think I was alone.)

... and by the way, sometimes I am scared that I will get wet from rain drops.

 

[Camp Creek Kid]

I absolutely refuse to see JAWS.

On another note, this is a very sad situation about the two kids. My children are still quite small and we're more concerned about them drowning in the gulf than getting too far out and entagling with marine life. We've had our share of jellyfish stings though.

We decided to tell our kids what happened. We don't want them to be afraid of the gulf, but they do need to respect it and be aware of the dangers.

 

[Smiling JOe]

On another note, this is a very sad situation about the two kids. My children are still quite small and we're more concerned about them drowning in the gulf than getting too far out and entagling with marine life. We've had our share of jellyfish stings though.

We decided to tell our kids what happened. We don't want them to be afraid of the gulf, but they do need to respect it and be aware of the dangers.

Good for you. I think you have your priorities in line. Far more people have drowned around here than have been bitten by sharks, alligators and snakes combined.

 

[lollygal]

Excuse me, haven't you heard about the movie JAWS!? It hasn't stopped me from fishing, but I don't care to be bitten by something with 3 rows of teeth.
(I did not think I was alone.)

... and by the way, sometimes I am scared that I will get wet from rain drops.

SJ, I'm with you -- I don't swim in it, but I admire it. I love to get my toes wet, and then enjoy a day of ocean breeze under the umbrella, something cool to drink and a good book -- I guess that's lazy days.

 

[Smiling JOe]

SJ, I'm with you -- I don't swim in it, but I admire it. I love to get my toes wet, and then enjoy a day of ocean breeze under the umbrella, something cool to drink and a good book -- I guess that's lazy days.

Now, with that said, I have not totally abandoned the water after watching JAWS! -- You may see me out there scooting around that second sand bar on occassion paddling my kayak, but I may wait a few days and even then, you wont see my behind out there at 11:00am!
Seeing jaws has not stopped me from canoeing around the Intercoastal and Black Creek either. I ain't scared of no gators, especially on the football field.

 

[Kurt]

Now, with that said, I have not totally abandoned the water after watching JAWS! -- You may see me out there scooting around that second sand bar on occassion paddling my kayak, but I may wait a few days and even then, you wont see my behind out there at 11:00am!
Seeing jaws has not stopped me from canoeing around the Intercoastal and Black Creek either. I ain't scared of no gators, especially on the football field.

Because you can handle a gator 2 out of 15 times.