According to a database called the International Shark Attack File, New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County, Florida is the shark attack capital of the world!
Apparently there are several beaches like this in North America, where the number of sharks in the area is so great, that humans and sharks intermix. Most of the time swimmers don’t even realize that they are within 10 feet of less of a shark.
Stinson Beach in Northern California is notorious for attracting great white sharks in droves because of its seal population. Surfers say that its not uncommon to see large sharks cruise right by them in the waves.
Its seems as if actual attacks are very rare, though, and very few deaths occur per year. We’ve heard that more people are killed by coconuts falling out of trees each year ( what a weird way to go ) than by sharks. This doesn’t seem to do much to quell that uneasy feeling many people get when stepping into the water. Maybe its that we have an innate fear of predators…
I was reading through your shark blogs and found them all to be interesting. I am a Florida native and have worried about sharks for years. My friends have made fun of me my whole life because I am afraid to go out in the water for the sake of being attacked by a shark.
A few years ago I found an inlet at the end of New Symrna Beach and
fell in love with the water because it is so clear and you can see the bottom for miles. I actually thought to myself “Wow I can finally relax and swim out into the ocean because I can see if a shark is near.” Well later that day after leaving the beach, I saw on the news that there was a shark attack in the same spot that I was earlier that day. Wow..talk about freaky. Well apparently sharks and I think alike because they like the clear waters too. lol
Thanks for sharing your blogs with me. I am a new blogger and as trying to find good blog writers that I can follow. Please check out my blogs and let me know your thoughts. I am open for suggestions…. http://www.rasmussen.edu/blogs/Micheles-Blog.aspx
Yeah, apparently there is over two shark attacks per month at New Smyrna Beach. Kind of crazy .. I’ve made a mental note not to hang out there too often :)
like your blog — I subscribed to it — so you have another reader on board :) .. where exactly is Rasmussen College ?