It seems as if there have been a lot of shark attacks in the news lately. Even here in our own relatively tranquil waters, we all have seen reports in our local media about people’s unfortunate encounters with our undersea apex predators. If there is any good news in all this, it’s that people are not the usual tasty treats that appeal to sharks.
In fact, a lot of shark attacks are accidental. If a swimmer jumps from a boat right on top of a shark, said shark may attempt to defend itself. Likewise, sharks also make mistakes. Surfers in wetsuits have been mistaken for seals — and sharks like seals. If you are one who enjoys spearfishing, be aware that a shark wants the bleeding wounded wiggling fish on your spear as much as you do.
Let’s not forget that some shark attacks happen as a direct result of human stupidity. Several years ago, a diver in the Keys was brought to Fishermen’s Hospital in Marathon with a live nurse shark firmly attached to his chest. It seems that the diver had been really bothering the nurse shark by yanking its tail while the shark was attempting to mind its own business. The shark finally had enough, whipped around, and planted its suctioning jaws squarely on the diver’s chest. The diver survived; the shark unfortunately did not.
Fishermen can certainly attest to the glorious fight to the finish, when at the last second a shark hits the perfect legal-sized black grouper, leaving the fisherman with nothing but a fish head. It’s accepted knowledge that sharks hardly ever attack undersized or out-of-season grouper, much preferring the taste of legal keeper fish.
Tarpon fishermen will remember Big Mo, the giant hammerhead shark that patrolled the waters near Bahia Honda. Mo was famous for his propensity to cause so many anglers to reel in disembodied tarpon heads. I would never want to get between a hungry shark and its next meal.
So how do we avoid shark attacks? A friend of mine has a pretty unimpeachable theory: One will never be attacked by a shark if one never gets into the water. Sadly, that’s a theory that precludes so much of the outdoor fun we love about the Keys.
There are actually many things we can do. Some are obvious, like not wearing shiny objects or bright clothing, avoiding swimming in low light or dark conditions, and not swimming in waters that have been chummed to attract fish. Splashing in a single spot gives a shark the same signal as does a wounded fish, and will likely attract a shark to investigate. And as mentioned before, jumping right on top of a shark is never a good idea.
Even though it seems that there have been more shark attacks in the news lately, it’s still pretty safe to go into the water. According to the Florida Museum, the chance of being killed by a shark is 1 in 3,748,067. Those are much better odds than getting behind the wheel and driving Florida’s roadways.
The victim of a recent attack in the Keys, 10-year-old Jameson Reeder Jr., has kept a great attitude in the aftermath of his way-too-close encounter with a bull shark. Although part of his leg had to be amputated as a result of the attack, Reeder is doing well and has vowed to get back into the water at the same spot near Looe Key where the attack occurred. Although he may face more surgeries down the line, Reeder remains upbeat. He told NBC6 that, “I’m going to be fine and in like two months I’m going to get a prosthetic leg, a cool one.”
If we all remember that sharks live in the waters we visit, that it’s their home, we’ll probably be better off and just might avoid some of the attacks and injuries we’ve seen. Sharks are pretty cool creatures … at a safe distance!
John Bartus’ Perpetual Island Tour stops Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing. Catch John next Monday at Boondocks, and Tuesday and Wednesday at the Key Colony Inn. And check out John’s music anywhere you stream or download your music. Or point your browser to: johnbartus.hearnow.com
