Within the past month, 10 people have been bitten by sharks along the coasts of the Carolinas. I was about a mile away when two children were attacked in Oak Island, where both victims lost their arms. While I was scared out of my mind to go back into the water the rest of the day, but by the end of the week, I gradually let myself wade waist-deep into the water.
On July 2, however, a man was bitten in waist-deep water, with the shark attacking his hands, hips, waist and leg. No longer do we feel that if we are just dipping in the water that we will feel safe. This got me thinking about the different facts about sharks that can ultimately protect us from the coast's waves:
- The average number of shark attacks per year in the U.S. is about 19, and the joint average for the coasts of both Carolinas is six. This year, however, there have already been 10. Scientists speculate that this is because the recent droughts have been causing the shark's mating and breeding areas to be moved closer to the shore. Even with this behavior, the odds of being attacked by a shark are about one in 11.5 million.
- Other popular areas for shark attacks are South Carolina shores, Hawaiian shores, Florida's New Smyrna Beach, New South Wales Australian shores, South African shores and along the Californian coastline.
- Sharks are more likely to attack individuals, not groups. Just another reason to swim with a buddy.
- Don't wear shiny jewelry. This attracts sharks because it looks like fish scales.
- The most common times when sharks are active is during the night and early morning. Sharks have good night vision because of a membrane they have in the back of their eye. It's called the tapetum lucidum and it basically reflects the sunlight back into the retina, making them more sensitive to light. It is best to avoid swimming when it is dark.
- As a species, sharks are actually on the decline. Around the world, about 7.9 percent of sharks are killed each year, and scientists have calculated that only 4.9 percent of the shark population can be killed every year in order for the shark population to remain stable.
