Seem like more shark bites in Florida recently? Expert says Florida could see a ‘below-average year’ for bites

Inside the previous few weeks, two folks have been bitten by sharks at New Smyrna Seaside, and a teen was attacked by a shark close to the Gulf.

Whereas that feels like lots, and even alarming, it would not essentially imply there are extra shark bites occurring, in response to Gavin Naylor, director of the College of Florida’s Program for Shark Analysis. In actual fact, he thinks it would really be a below-average yr for shark bites.

“Someone will get bitten on the ankle by a shark, and it is likely to be that there’s not one other chunk in three weeks or it may very well be there’s one the following day,” he advised FOX 35 in an interview.

Primarily based on their analysis, here’s a have a look at the variety of reported shark bites this yr and in yr’s previous.

• 2022: 4
• 2021: 17
• 2020: 8
• 2019: 9

“What we have a look at is the long-term traits and these items spike and bounce round,” he stated.

Volusia County, he stated, sometimes sees a mean of 10 bites annually.

As for Volusia County Seaside Patrol, Capin Malphurs stated the water itself – and rip currents – are the most important risk. Final week, a 14-year-old boy from Altamonte Springs drowned at Daytona Seaside whereas swimming with buddies.

“I’d say that our greatest hazard right here and our greatest risk in Volusia County is rip currents,” she stated.

Regardless of that, New Smyrna Seaside has acquired an disagreeable moniker – Shark chunk capital of the world.