THE US REPORT

See 4/30 update at end of story.

New Smyrna Beach, Fla.)—Volusia County has chalked up 9 shark bites so far this year, a number outpacing bites in 2001, a year cited by beach records as the “Year of the Shark,” according to Local6.com. The most recent bites occurred at New Smyrna Beach at the rate of 1 a day over a 3 day period, and the TV station website notes each incident occurred near a jetty. A short section of New Smyrna Beach has recently been closed for dredging by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Inland Navigation District, begging the question of whether dredging in an area could cause marine animals to behave differently than normal.

Site offers expert information about sharks
The Florida Museum of Natural History  ‘Ichthyology’ website has lots of information about sharks, even offering tips for swimmers and surfers. There’s a surprising statistic there, considering the hordes of tourists and locals heading for the water on a daily basis. Worldwide, shark attacks average 50-70 incidents each year. That puts the fear inspired by the defining movie for the killer shark film canon, ‘Jaws,’ in a little clearer perspective. The museum website notes in a very useful FAQS section that most shark attacks are basically a case of mistaken identity.  There’s a long list of tips for avoiding an attack, including avoiding swimming alone in the ocean, and also avoiding swimming during darkness or twilight hours. Avoid uneven tanning, brightly colored clothing, excess splashing and bright jewelry. Furthermore, be very cautious when occupying the area between sandbars or near steep dropoffs—these are favorite hangouts for sharks. I’d suggest anyone swimming in the ocean visit this site—some great photos of these intriguing creatures are posted there.

Close encounters of the shark kind
My own encounters with sharks have been sporadic and I’ve never encountered one in Florida. A couple years ago we vacationed at St. Simon’s Island off the Georgia coast and my husband, who is a far earlier riser than I am, would stroll down the beach for the sole purpose of watching a particular shark. This creature was about 4 feet long. Before our week ended, my daughters and I joined my husband—we all stayed on shore by the way. The shark actually came up into the very shallow water and we had a perfect view. That was as personal as any of us wanted to get with the king of the ocean.

I grew up in a rural area, accompanying my uncles on hunting trips, and during my years as a freelancer, I’ve had amazing opportunities to work on wildlife protection programs. The first rule of thumb when you are in an environment that you have little or no control over: respect it. The ocean does not belong to us despite our various attempts to hijack, wreck and otherwise impact it and the creatures who call it home. When swimming or surfing, pay attention to beach safety signs and exercise caution. Volusia County has a very neat life cam at the official government site, and it’s evident New Smyrna Beach is a gorgeous place. The sound of the ocean is a reminder nature makes amazing music.

Does dredging disturb habitat, altering marine animal behavior?
I don’t know whether the dredging at New Smyrna has anything to do with the unusual number of shark bites reported, but it seems to me anytime we tamper with habitat, we often achieve more results than those we hope for.

[Note: I have a call in to the Ichthyology staff about the impact of dredging on shark behavior. I’ll update this column as soon as I hear back from the staffer in charge.]

Update to story, April 30: I talked to expert George Burgess late yesterday afternoon. When I asked him if dredging might increase potential for shark attacks, he said no. However, dredging does sometimes stir up the water, creating murky conditions. So a shark may be more prone to misidentifying prey. “But they’re not hugely affected [by dredging],” he said. On the subject of jetties, it’s good to bear in mind that often, what sharks like to eat are in that area. In my opinion, the latest attacks come down to this: exercise caution, pay attention to beach warnings, and if you or someone else spots a shark, steer clear. You’re in that creature’s home and it’s a no-contest battle if you engage.posted by Kay B. Day