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Florida
Florida is named the shark attack capital of the world
Florida man recounts Bahamas shark attack
Marlin Wakeman, 24, fell into a ‘shark den’ after a misstep at the Bahamas dock where he was working April 26. He was swarmed by 20 sharks when he hit the water, he said, but he managed to wrest himself away. (Credit: WSVN)
Florida — specifically Volusia County — is the shark capital of the world.
The Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File found the most unprovoked shark attacks in the world in the Sunshine State, specifically in Volusia County, where there have been 351 attacks since 1882.
Brevard County follows with 158 attacks, then Palm Beach with 83.
SHARKS: 12 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE MARINE FISH
Unprovoked bites “are defined as incidents in which a bite on a live human occurs in the shark’s natural habitat with no human provocation of the shark,” according to the Florida Museum.
Most shark attacks have happened in September since 1926, according to the report.
Volusia County has had 351 unprovoked shark attacks since 1882. (Jesus Olarte/AFP via Getty Images)
July, August and October are also among the most common months for attacks in Florida to occur.
In 2023, there were 36 confirmed unprovoked attacks in the U.S., down from the 41 recorded in 2022, according to the report.
SWIMMING IN A SHARK’S HOME: TIPS FROM AN EXPERT FOR AVOIDING AND SURVIVING AN ATTACK
Australia had the second-most attacks in the world last year with 15.
In the U.S., after Florida, which had 16 total shark bites recorded, was Hawaii, which had eight unprovoked bites in 2023.
New York had four, North Carolina had three, California and South Carolina both had two and New Jersey had one.
To stay safe from sharks, follow tips such as staying with a buddy at all times while in the water and staying close to shore. (Brianna Soukup/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)
Most of those who fell victim to a shark bite last year were either surfing or participating in board sports, according to the new report.
Surfing/board sports made up 42% of the attacks in 2023.
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After that, it was swimming/wading at 39% and snorkeling/free-diving at 13%. Six percent of attacks were tallied as “other.”
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Upon entering the water, especially in places known to have higher rates of shark attacks, there are several safety precautions you should take to help reduce your risk.
Most beachgoers who fell victim to a shark attack last year were either surfing or participating in board sports, according to the new report. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)
Here are some safety measures outlined by the Florida Museum of National History.
- Swim with a buddy
- Don’t stray too far from shore
- Avoid swimming at dawn or dusk
- Don’t swim in areas filled with schools of fish or where people are fishing
- Avoid wearing shiny jewelry
- Avoid excess splashing
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
Florida
Rainy stretch continues in South Florida
South Florida is experiencing a prolonged stretch of wet weather as deep tropical moisture combines with a stalled frontal boundary across the region.
The result has been frequent showers, thunderstorms, periods of heavy rainfall, and localized flooding concerns from Broward to Miami-Dade and throughout the Keys.
The atmosphere is loaded with moisture, allowing storms to produce intense downpours in a short amount of time.
Some neighborhoods have already seen several inches of rain, with additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms expected through the end of the week.
Flood-prone streets and poor drainage areas remain especially vulnerable during the heaviest rainfall.
While the rain is helping ease drought conditions, it is also increasing the risk of flash flooding and travel delays.
South Florida is two weeks into its rainy season, when abundant heat and humidity combine to generate daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms.
Heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, and gusty winds are common features of this time of year.
The good news? Drier air will gradually filter into parts of the region heading into the weekend, allowing rain chances to slightly decrease. Until then, keep the umbrella handy and be prepared for sudden tropical downpours.
Florida
Man accused of kidnapping woman at Wawa in Central Florida
NEWS
A man is in custody after deputies said he tried to kidnap a woman at a Wawa near Winter park. Per investigators, Matthew Seaberg approached the victim from behind, picked her up by the waist, and threw her into his truck.
Florida
Jury selection continues in fatal boat crash trial of South Florida real estate mogul George Pino
MIAMI — A new group of prospective jurors was questioned Tuesday in the trial of South Florida real estate mogul George Pino, who is charged in connection with a 2022 boat crash that killed a teenager in Miami-Dade County.
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During jury selection in a Miami-Dade courtroom, Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez asked potential jurors what they already knew about the case and whether they had recently seen or heard anything about it.
Several prospective jurors said they knew only basic details, including that a fatal boating crash occurred and that a teenage girl died. Others said they recalled media reports that alcohol may have been involved.
As questioning continued, some prospective jurors disclosed connections to schools and communities tied to the case.
Passengers aboard Pino’s boat included his wife, his teenage daughter and 11 of her friends, many of whom attended private schools in Miami-Dade County.
One prospective juror said they graduated from a local private school around the time of the crash and were familiar with some of the students involved.
Another said references to schools and witnesses brought back memories of seeing posts and articles about the incident shared on social media.
A third said their child participates in youth sports with students from schools connected to the case.
Investigators said the boat struck a channel marker while returning from an outing on Biscayne Bay. Seventeen-year-old Lourdes Academy student Lucy Fernandez drowned after the crash.
Tinkler Mendez also addressed concerns that a prospective juror had been viewing a news report about the case on a cellphone while waiting outside the courtroom.
Another prospective juror reported hearing the report but said it was not loud enough for everyone in the area to hear.
Tinkler Mendez reminded prospective jurors to avoid news coverage and social media discussions related to the case as jury selection continues.
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