Shark Attack

[chikida]

It's significant to note how far off shore the girls were- 250 yards which is pretty far out and very close to the second sand bar where the bigger "dudes" prefer to hang out. Secondly they may have been in or around a school of bait fish which attracts any and all larger fish in the vicinity. We see those schools traverse the sand bar all the time. Bottom line is that shark attacks in the gulf are extremely rare. We're heading down to our favorite vacation spot next week and, it puts a damper on our excitement, but the news is what it is. The fact of the matter is sharks have always been there. The majority of shark attacks recorded from 1882 have been on the east coast. Lightening strikes are more frequent than shark attacks which is 1:280,000 http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/probability.html) In 1992, about 1 million divers swam in the Florida Keys. Of these, 2 were bitten (neither bite was fatal). What percentage of divers in the Keys were bitten? ANSWER: 2 / 1,000,000 = .000002 attacks per million people= .0002% bitten.* (source: http://www.mathinthemiddle.org/ocean/activity_3.htm) In other words you're about three times more likely to be struck by lightening. In any case, our hearts go out to the family mourning the loss of their daugher- I have two and it hit home. We will however, continue to embrace the emerald waters as a sanctuary to be visited and enjoyed.

 

[Landlocked]

We returned from Dune Allen Saturday and had a great time. One of our visitors was snorkeling about fifty yards off the beach and I looked up and there was a very large, and very fast fish approaching him. It turned out that he was in close, 10 ft or so, of a couple of kings. The shark, he said it looked like a bull, was feeding on them. It was an awesome site, except for me. He kicked his way in and took a breather for a while and went back out.
No thanks!

 

[JB]

MB. I believe we were discussing sharks. You bring up pelicans. I fail to see the connection.

I understand about things like food chain and natural order. You're preaching to the choir. Nevertheless, a pelican who dies from ingesting large fish bones, and a shark who dies from eating human bones are two different things entirely. A pelican in distress should be saved. A shark who kills a human should have his skull ripped open by a .44 magnum. Sorry, but that's how I feel.

I wonder if marine biologists are required to take any electives in logic and reasoning.

 

[chikida]

Any truth to the rumor that the stretch of beach along Seagrove through Grayton was closed again yesterday afternoon after people spotted small packs of bull sharks in as close to 10 feet from the shore from their decks? This supposedly happened around Watercolor. It would be nice to hear from someone local and on the scene- - not that it would prohibit us from changing our plans to hit Grayton next week.
Chikida

 

[Smiling JOe]

Any truth to the rumor that the stretch of beach along Seagrove through Grayton was closed again yesterday afternoon after people spotted small packs of bull sharks in as close to 10 feet from the shore from their decks? This supposedly happened around Watercolor. It would be nice to hear from someone local and on the scene- - not that it would prohibit us from changing our plans to hit Grayton next week.
Chikida

I have not heard such talk. I was on the Beach in Grayton late yesterday afternoon, and while most people were staying in close to shore, sharks were not scaring off these fishermen. They were a good 100 yards from the beach for quite a while.

I am beginning to wonder if T.S. Arlene changed the sand bars significantly enough to move the fish around and therefore bring the sharks in closer.
On a separate note, I remember seeing 6-7 Hammerheads around Blue Mtn Beach 2-3 years ago.

 

[Landlocked]

I think the main thing is if you see large baitfish in the water, get out for a while.

 

[chikida]

My understanding is when you see baitfish in the water thats where you want to cast your line! Special thanks to smiling Joe for the local update. I'll look for you on the beach next week to touch base. I try to get up around sunrise every morning to keep my shiny side up! Any chance that you know or talk to Edmund? He's at Grayton every morning without fail unless the weather is bad or if he's out of town. I'm an old friend of his.

 

[Landlocked]

These sharks in the area may be feeding on alll the bluefish in the area. That's all I could catch last week. I caught a boatload of them. Those are some fun fish to catch on light tackle.

 

[Rita]

MB. A shark who kills a human should have his skull ripped open by a .44 magnum.

OK, I'm confused JB! Who's the "SICK" one here? Sorry but I weigh in w/ Marine Biologist.

 

[chikida]

MB. A shark who kills a human should have his skull ripped open by a .44 magnum.

OK, I'm confused JB! Who's the "SICK" one here? Sorry but I weigh in w/ Marine Biologist.

I see emotions influencing reason here. Sharks will do what they've always done for a mellinium. Unfortunately, humans take it personally. MB was merely stating that we should not look on sharks in a negative light because of recent events. They are every bit as majestic in their own right as Bengal tigers are in their element. I think JB is taking exception to this weekend's tragedy and is venting. (aren't we all?) To reference JB's question to MB, it is logical for the shark to have done what it has done. It is reasonable for bathers and surfers to be on a higher alert and concerned and to defend themselves if capable. It is unreasonable to take out a vendetta on all sharks because of their very nature. It is very human to misconstrue reason and logic with emotion- it is both a blessing and a curse where we all lose our objectivity.