"Shark Surge: Coastlines on High Alert Amid Increased Sightings and Attacks"

Shark activity along U.S. coastlines has been making headlines this summer, drawing renewed attention to both recent attacks and public safety measures. Just days ago, Rockaway Beach in New York was temporarily closed to swimmers after three shark sightings confirmed by drone, reflecting a trend of increased sightings that has led to repeated beach closures since July. Earlier in the summer, a woman was bitten by what experts identified as a juvenile sand tiger shark near Jones Beach, bringing the number of U.S. shark bites in 2024 to 28, with one fatality according to CBS News. Most incidents happen in areas where sharks are hunting for prey among large crowds of swimmers and surfers, especially along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Florida continues to dominate headlines as the unofficial shark bite capital of the world, with places like New Smyrna Beach and Indialantic Boardwalk experiencing several encounters this year. A particularly alarming incident in late July involved a 40-year-old surfer at New Smyrna Beach who suffered a serious ten-inch bite but survived. Lifeguards in the Sunshine State are stepping up the use of purple flags, which signal the presence of dangerous marine life, including sharks. Beachgoers are also being urged to heed warnings, swim in groups, avoid water during twilight hours, and steer clear of wearing shiny jewelry or swimming with open wounds, advice reiterated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

On the West Coast, sightings and encounters are rarer but not unheard of. In early August, officials confirmed an adult great white shark was spotted near the Santa Monica Pier in California, a state that has logged over 200 shark incidents since mid-century, nearly all involving white sharks according to local reports.

Further afield but adding to the heightened awareness, an American man was bitten in the Bahamas as he sat on a boat with his leg dangling in the water, highlighting that even casual activities can carry risks. Internationally, the total number of shark-human interactions worldwide reached 88 last year, with 47 classified as unprovoked attacks and only four fatalities according to the Florida Museum of Natural History.

In the face of these events, public safety agencies are deploying more drones, increasing lifeguard patrols, and enhancing warning systems to minimize risks. Wherever you hit the waves this summer, experts advise respect for the ocean's inhabitants and vigilance on the beach. Thanks for tuning in and remember to subscribe. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Shark activity along US coast lines has been making headlines
this summer, drawing renewed attention to both recent attacks and
public safety measures. Just days ago, Rockaway Beach in New
York was temporarily closed to swimmers after three sharks sightings
confirmed by drone, reflecting a trend of increased sightings that
has led to repeated beach closures since July. Earlier in

(00:23):
the summer, a woman was bitten by what experts identified
as a juvenile sand tiger shark near Jones Beach, bringing
the number of US shark bites in twenty twenty four
to twenty eight, with one fatality. According to CDs News,
most incidents happen in areas where sharks are hunting for
prey among large crowds of swimmers and surfers, especially along

(00:45):
the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Florida continues to dominate headlines
as the unofficial shark bright capital of the world, with
places like New Smyrna Beach an Indy Atlantic Boardwalk experiencing
several encounters this year. A particularly alarming incident in late
July involved the forty year old surfer at Nusmyrna Beach

(01:06):
who suffered a serious ten inch bite, but survived. Life
guards in the Sunshine State are stepping up the use
of purple flags, which signal the presence of dangerous marine life,
including sharks. Beach goers are also being urged to heed warnings,
swim in groups, avoid water during twilight hours, and steer
clear of wearing shiny jewelry or swimming with open wounds,

(01:29):
advice reiterated by the Florida Fish and wild Life Conservation Commission.
On the West Coast, sightings and encounters are rarer, but
not unheard of. In early August, officials confirmed an adult
great white shark was spotted near the Santa Monica Pier
in California, a state that has logged over two hundred
shark incidents this mid century, nearly all involving white sharks,

(01:52):
according to local reports. Further afield, but adding to the
heightened awareness, an American man was bitten in the Bahama
as he sat on a boat with his leg dangling
in the water, highlighting that even casual activities can carry risks. Internationally,
the total number of shark human interactions worldwide reached eighty

(02:12):
eight last year, with forty seven classified as unprovoked attacks.
And only four mate mares have been fast intensely, according
to the Florida Museum of Natural History. In the face
of these events, public safety agencies are deploying more more drones,
increasing lifeguard patrols, and enhancing warning systems to minimize risks

(02:34):
wherever you hit the waves this summer. Experts advise respect
for the ocean's inhabitants and vigilance on the beach. Thanks
for tuning in and remember to subscribe. This has been
a quiet Please production. For more check out Quiet Please
dot ai