Sharks are present in Florida waters throughout the year, migrating in and out of the coast in search of cooler ocean temperatures and food. While it may seem like their presence is becoming more and more common — after all, Florida is considered “the shark capital of the world” — shark bites are considered extremely rare compared to the number of people who hang in the ocean.
Just last year, the state had 16 unprovoked shark bite incidents reported, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File. That represents 44% of the country’s total unprovoked bites. And within the past few weeks, there have been a handful of confirmed shark bites at Florida beaches, but it is worth noting that each of these incidents took place over the July Fourth weekend and were not fatal.
Still, even with these recent incidents, they are considered an anomaly. According to the University of Florida, you have a one in 11.5 million odds of being bitten by a shark. So while you’re fine the next time you plan a beach day, if you would like an extra layer of comfort before jumping in the water, you can actually stay up-to-date with the latest shark activity thanks to this helpful shark tracker.
How to track sharks near Florida
The OCEARCH Shark Tracker displays the latest activity of sharks around the globe, including along the East Coast, that scientists have tagged over the years. It lets you filter your search by location, animal age, sex, tracking activity and species. In fact, you can also track the movements of other sea animals like turtles, dolphins, alligators and even seals!
OCEARCH is a global non-profit organization set on restoring the balance and abundance to the ocean by conducting research on the giants that live within the waters. With the help of SPOT (Smart Positioning and Temperature) Tags, the organization can track sharks in real time. When a shark’s fin remains above the water’s surface for some time, these tags transmit a “ping” location.
Of course, not every shark in the sea has been tagged. So even if you’ve check the tracker beforehand, it’s important to be vigilant when visiting beaches where shark presence is more common.
What are the beaches with the highest number of shark sightings in Florida?
As previously mentioned, the odds of being bitten by a shark remains extremely low and although they aren’t exactly prevalent in Florida’s coastal waters, there are beaches where it is more likely to find them. Since these spots attract a large number of tourists, it may contribute to the higher number of shark encounters.
Beaches in Volusia and Brevard counties are known to have the highest probability of shark sightings, such as New Smyrna Beach, which is often referred to as the “shark bite capital of the world,” and Cocoa Beach. Other areas where you have a chance of seeing one include:
- Daytona Beach
- Ponce Inlet
- Florida Keys
What to do if you’re faced with a shark
To reduce the odds of a shark bite, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission advises swimmers to stay in groups, near lifeguards, minimize splashing, avoid entering the water if bleeding and refrain from wearing shiny jewelry as it might resemble fish scales. Sharks are more active during darkness or twilight hours, so it is important to avoid the water during those times, and sandbars and steep drop-offs are common shark hangouts.
In the unlikely event of a shark attack, it is recommended to fight back and leave the water as quickly, yet as calmly as possible. The idea is to keep from splashing water and maintain eye contact until you’re safely back on shore. If necessary, targeting sensitive areas like the eyes or gills can scare it off.
It’s important to remember that sharks are not human hunters with a preference for unprovoked attacks and there is no reason to be fearful of the species. Understanding their behavior and respecting their environment are key to enjoying the great outdoors and the beauty of our oceans safely.