How can you avoid being bitten by a shark? What to know before swimming in Florida waters
With the anniversary of the most iconic shark flick coming up this month, some might be worried about accidentally making their own "Jaws" when heading to the beach this summer.
June 20 will mark the 50th anniversary of the blockbuster 'Jaws," inspiring an entire generation to fear these overlarge fish, particularly great white sharks.
For decades, scientists have stressed that shark attacks are considered very rare and the stereotypic characterizations of sharks in media are often filled with misinformation. An annual report by the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) shows 47 confirmed unprovoked shark bites globally in 2024, with 14 in Florida.
According to Tracking Shark, there have been three total shark attacks in the U.S. this year, with one involving a 12-year-old boy in Cocoa Beach, Florida. However, officials later said the laceration on his knee may have been caused by the fin of his surfboard instead of a shark.
Florida has one of the largest year-round concentrations of sharks. Scientific data from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission shows that many shark species migrate in and out of Florida's waters each year.
Here's how you can keep your family and yourself safe when visiting the state's beaches this summer (or anytime).
Sharks usually stay within a range of 60-100 feet from shore; however, Florida Museum of Natural History research has found that most shark attacks occur within 6 to 10 feet of land.
According to the International Shark Attack File, a worldwide database of shark attacks, September has the most frequent unprovoked attacks by sharks on Florida beaches. Since 1926, roughly 17% of unprovoked shark attacks in Florida have happened in September.
According to ISAF, the county with the most shark attacks in the state is Volusia County, which is the 'Shark Bite Capital of the World' and home to beaches like Daytona, New Smyrna and Ormond Beach.
The ISAF says the shark species responsible for most unprovoked bites on humans are the white, tiger and bull.
However, the University of Florida notes that all sharks, regardless of size, are predators and could be capable of inflicting wounds if provoked.
The FWC's guide to sharing the water with sharks says there's no surefire way to avoid a shark bite, but you can reduce your chances of being bitten. Most recorded shark bites are unprovoked, according to ISAF.
'Every year, millions of tourists and residents visit Florida's beaches and waterways, and these beaches and waterways will more than likely contain sharks,' the FWC says.
'According to experts, while there are no guaranteed ways to avoid shark bites, understanding shark behavior could help you make better decisions on when and where to swim.'
Of the 88 shark-human interactions that ISAF investigated in 2024, 47 were unprovoked and 24 were provoked. The other 17 cases included boat bites, a shark-inflicted post-mortem bite ('scavenge') and several others were unassigned or classified as 'unconfirmed.'
ISAF defines unprovoked bites as incidents where a human who didn't interact with or provoke a shark was bitten.
According to ISAF, provoked bites include 'instances when divers are bitten after harassing or trying to touch sharks, bites on spearfisherman, bites on people attempting to feed sharks, bites occurring while unhooking or removing a shark from a fishing net and so forth.'
Stay in groups, since sharks are more likely to bite a solitary individual.
Don't wander too far from shore, which isolates you and places you far away from assistance.
Avoid being in the water in the dark or during twilight hours, when sharks are most active.
Don't get in the water if you're bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating. A shark's ability to smell blood is acute.
Avoid wearing shiny jewelry in the water. When light reflects off of shiny jewelry – especially under the water – it resembles the sheen of fish scales and might make you look like shark food.
Avoid waters with known discharges or sewage and waters used for any type of fishing – especially if there are signs of bait fish or feeding activity. Diving seabirds, which frequently feed on bait fish, are good indicators.
While there are myths and anecdotes about dolphins saving humans from shark bites, the presence of dolphins doesn't mean there aren't sharks in the water – both often eat the same foods.
Use extra caution when the water looks murky.
Remember that sharks see contrast particularly well. Uneven tans and bright-colored clothing or swimsuits could draw a shark's attention.
Try not to splash and thrash around in the water, as this may draw a shark's attention.
Don't allow pets in the water: their erratic movements may draw a shark's attention.
Be careful when swimming in the area between sandbars or near steep drop-offs are some of the sharks' favorite places to hang out.
Swim only on beaches with lifeguards on duty.
Don't get in the water if sharks are known to be present, and get out of the water if sharks are sighted.
Never harass a shark.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Shark bites in Florida: How many attacks happened in 2024? See tips
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National Geographic
18 hours ago
- National Geographic
Jaws was filmed on Martha's Vineyard 50 years ago—and the island has never been the same
Food fights, freezing water, and barrels of fake blood: locals reminisce about the time Hollywood invaded their small community. Director Steven Spielberg on the set of Jaws. Photograph Courtesy of Universal Studios Licensing LLC JAWS DIDN'T JUST CHANGE cinematic history. The summer blockbuster also transformed Martha's Vineyard. Long before the Clintons, Obamas, Oprah, and Larry David moved in to make it the starriest second-home locale on the Eastern Seaboard, the tranquil New England island was everything Hollywood wasn't. In fact, prior to director Steven Spielberg and crew setting up cameras to create the definitive shark thriller, the last movie to shoot there was in the silent era. 'Jaws put us on the map,' explains Martha's Vineyard Museum research librarian Bow Van Riper. 'It was what really kicked off the world coming to the Vineyard, and certainly nowadays it's nothing to see cars from every state in the country over the course of the summer and people from all over the globe planning pilgrimages to see Amity in person.' Locals and tourists make their summer splash by jumping from the Martha's Vineyard 'Jaws bridge,' a wooden walkway connecting the towns of Edgartown and Oak Bluffs that was featured in the film. Photograph by Matt Cosby, The New York Times/Redux In honor of the 50th anniversary of the movie, which premiered June 20, 1975, we talked to current and former locals about the massive impact it had on its shooting location. And how, in turn, Martha's Vineyard helped define one of the box office's biggest hits. There's the harbormaster who helmed 20 boats for Universal Pictures, and the local child actor who (fictionally) lost his life to the great white. A swim on extra, and Deputy Hendricks himself, star Jeffrey Kramer. 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I was so nervous, I could have probably thrown up. [The filmmakers] often added me to scenes, because the [animatronic] shark [named Bruce] wasn't working. But you had no choice, you had to keep trying to shoot something. They were masterful in keeping the production going. What an effort it was. The rumors were that they were going to pull the plug. That this was never going to work. That they were going to just eat their losses and say no more. But it was a perfect creative storm. The music, the editing—everything came together. You couldn't see it then, but Jaws reshaped the way movies are made. It was a Hollywood invasion that worked." Director of Marketing at Harbor View Hotel '[There was a] legendary food fight that happened among the crew in what's now Bettini Restaurant at Harbor View Hotel. Between the weather, the constant issues with the shark, and the long hours, emotions were running high. That food fight was a bit of catharsis. A chaotic, silly moment that helped break the tension. It wasn't planned, but it's now part of the hotel's lore and one of those only-on-Martha's-Vineyard stories.' Bow Van Riper Research Librarian at Martha's Vineyard Museum 'I was on the beach watching them [film] and the assistant director said, 'Hey, we need 100 brave people to go in the water and pretend to be the crowd.' So my friend and I waded in. There we were in water a bit above our waist, pretending that we were swimming in water above our head. We did it and then we did it again and again. The water was really cold. By the time we were done, we knew why he said 100 brave people.' Charlie Blair Former Harbormaster of Edgartown, Massachusetts "The [Jaws] Teamsters gave up the water because they didn't have anybody that could do it. They wrecked a couple of boats and lost a lot of gear, including a camera. We met with the bosses that evening, and they brought me on to manage all the small boats. I ended up working 20 to 22 hours a day for Universal. These people knew nothing about the water. Absolutely nothing. They didn't know about currents or tides. I [was overseeing] 20 boats. Every day, somebody would wreck a boat or sink a boat. They didn't have a clue. I escorted [star Robert Shaw] off the beach every morning in pitch dark. [He would] have a little nip of Wild Turkey as we idled to the dock. His makeup guy was mixing martinis out of a sterling shaker. By the time he got to breakfast, he was on fire. More credit to him, because he never missed a line." Jeffrey Voorhees Alex Kintner in Jaws and former Wharf Pub manager 'A couple months before they were shooting, my family moved up to the island. I was 12, and [the filmmakers] said we'll pay you $40 a day to be an extra. [My friends and I] all said, 'Let's do it.' We went down to this hotel where they showed us the paperwork. They called a few people back, and said, 'You're getting a speaking part.' 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Through the years, [when I managed] the Wharf Pub, I hid from [my part in the movie], until I finally started doing signings. You get Jaws nuts. This one girl goes, 'Can he sign anything?' And she starts pulling her shirt up, and security is like, 'No private parts.' So I signed her collarbone, and then she got [my signature] tattooed. It makes some people so happy. I just did a Cameo [an app offering personalized videos from celebrities] this morning for like $40. I got a strange [Cameo request] last year from someone who said, 'Our father was a big Jaws fan, but he died watching the movie on the couch.' Holding my phone up, I go, 'You know, your father and I had a little something in common. He died watching me die.'" Executive Director at Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce 'Jaws and Martha's Vineyard will always be inseparable. The film captured not only the suspense of the sea, but also the soul of this place: its harbors, its people, its character. Martha's Vineyard didn't just host the film. We helped shape it, and it shaped us in return. It also made this small community think about sharks in a different way. I think that that was one of Stevens Spielberg's regrets, because sharks are beautiful. They're predators, obviously, but these are their waters.' "Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story" premieres on National Geographic starting July 10 and streams on Disney+ and Hulu starting July 11. Check local listings.
Fox News
a day ago
- Fox News
Beaches with most shark attacks as Americans pay tribute to 'Jaws' and activist weighs in
Print Close By Ashley DiMella Published June 20, 2025 With Friday marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic film "Jaws," many Americans are paying tribute to sharks even as reports of recent attacks grab headlines. On Tuesday, a swimmer was bitten on the leg while in South Carolina, according to Hilton Head Fire and Rescue. A nine-year-old girl was also recently bitten while snorkeling off Boca Grande, Florida. DAREDEVIL TO SWIM SHARK-FILLED WATERS IN CELEBRATION OF 'JAWS' 50TH ANNIVERSARY There have been 47 unprovoked shark bites globally in 2024, with 28 taking place in the U.S., according to the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File (ISAF). Florida beaches have logged the highest number of shark attacks, with 942 unprovoked bites since 1837. Hawaii has 199, while California has 141, ISAF has noted. Activist Julie Andersen, founder of the New York-based Shark Angels, told Fox News Digital that recent attacks do not indicate an increase in sharks in the oceans. SHARKS SURROUND SNORKELING TOURIST DURING WILD ENCOUNTER: 'THEY LOOKED TERRIFYING' "The rise in sightings is due to a mix of factors: more people in the water, better technology, shifting ocean conditions, and in some cases, successful conservation," she said. "Today, more swimmers, surfers and beachgoers are capturing and sharing their experiences." She added, "With drones, GoPros and social media, encounters that once went unnoticed are now widely shared. Sharks have always been there. We're just seeing them more often." Shark Angels is dedicated to shark conservation by transforming fear into fascination and promoting education to dispel myths about sharks, the group notes. RARE 16TH-CENTURY SHIPWRECK FOUND AT RECORD DEPTH IN FRENCH WATERS: 'REMARKABLE DISCOVERY' Andersen said that in places like California or Cape Cod, Massachusetts, white shark populations are rebounding "thanks to decades of protection." She said their return is a sign of healthier oceans. The American Association for the Advancement of Science estimates about 274,000 sharks are killed globally each day. Andersen said several beach communities are seeing higher numbers of sharks this summer. "Based on trends over the past few years, shark behavior is clearly shifting," she said. "From the West Coast to the East Coast and even parts of Mexico, sightings are increasing in places like California, Cape Cod, the Carolinas, Florida, and Baja." Andersen said, "New Smyrna Beach in Florida holds the title of 'shark bite capital of the world.' Located in Volusia County, it consistently tops global charts for shark encounters." For more Lifestyle articles, visit She also said that "most of these bites are minor, often from migrating small blacktip sharks mistaking toes and fingers for small bait fish. Many don't even require stitches." One daring endurance athlete is paying a special tribute to "Jaws" by swimming 62 miles around the island of Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts — where the film was set. Lewis Pugh said his goal is to raise awareness of the need to protect sharks and to change public perception of the mighty fish. Pugh said the popular 1975 movie showcased sharks as "villains, as cold-blooded killers," he told The Associated Press (AP). "It was a film about sharks attacking humans and for 50 years, we have been attacking sharks … It's completely unsustainable. It's madness. We need to respect them," Pugh told AP. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Not sure what to do if you encounter a shark in the water? The folks at Shark Angels shared some insights to consider. 6 shark tips you must know this summer 1. "If a shark comes near you in the water, stay calm. Do not panic." 2. "Make and maintain eye contact. Sharks are opportunistic predators and prefer an easy target. When they know you see them, they are much less likely to approach." 3. "Avoid flailing, yelling or trying to hit the shark. Quick, erratic movements can trigger a response." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 4. "Instead, move slowly and steadily. Keep your eyes on the shark and calmly head toward shore or safety." 5. "Do not act like prey. Just as you would not run from a lion or a bear, do not flee from a shark." 6. "If you come across one in the wild, give it space and stay composed. Sharks are not looking for a human meal." Print Close URL
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
Beachgoer airlifted after South Carolina suspected shark attack
Beachgoer airlifted after South Carolina suspected shark attack Show Caption Hide Caption What to do if you are bitten by a shark Tips for what to do if you are bitten by a shark A beachgoer in South Carolina suffered serious injuries in what local first-responders are calling a suspected shark attack. The incident, in which local officials said the victim suffered major injuries to her leg, happened in waters off the south end of Hilton Head Island, a local dispatcher confirmed to USA TODAY Thursday, June 19. The island is about 45 miles northeast of Savannah, Georgia. "The incident involved a patient with a leg injury consistent with lacerations typically associated with a shark bite," a Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue official wrote in press release obtained by USA TODAY. Crews responded at 12:07 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, to a medical emergency near beach mile marker 24 in Sea Pines Beach, according to the release. Lifeguards and firefighters treated the victim at the scene before she was transported to Hilton Head Island Airport, the release continues, where a medical helicopter flew her to a Savannah facility for further treatment. The victim's age, name and condition were not immediately known on Thursday, June 19, but first-responders at the scene determined the injuries to be non-life threatening. Shark siting: Massive great white shark resurfaces off North Carolina coast Hilton Head Island shark attacks The incident marked the first reported likely shark bite of Hilton Head's summer season, Shore Beach Service director Mike Wagner told USA TODAY. The agency, which provides year-round beach patrol for 13.5 miles of the island's beaches according to its website, also responded to assist the victim. Local charter captain Chip Michalove, The Island Packet reported, said Hilton Head beaches see two or three shark attacks each year, "occasionally seeing spikes of up to a half-dozen." USA TODAY has reached out to Hilton Head fire officials for more information. North Carolina suspected shark attack: Warning issued toa beach visitors Shark bite could mark state's first encounter of 2025 If confirmed, the attack could be the state's first reported shark encounter with a human in 2025. According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), 47 people were bitten in unprovoked attacks last year. Four of them died, including one person in the United States. Each year, according to ISAF, the world averages about 65 documented shark attacks. On average, six fatal attacks are reported each year. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliea According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), 47 people were bit in an unprovoked attack last year and of them, four fatalities took place, including one in the United States.
