Man critically injured after shark attack near Fernandina Beach, sheriff says
Weeks after three people were injured two shark attacks in the Panhandle, Nassau County authorities on Friday reported that a man in his 40s was critically injured in another shark incident, this one in Northeast Florida.
The victim, who was not identified, was hospitalized in critical condition after sustaining a severe bite to his right arm, Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said late Friday afternoon.
Just after 11 a.m. on Friday, the department's Marine Unit was on patrol off Amelia Island when they received a distress call over the emergency radio, Leeper said. When deputies got to the boat, they found a man with a severe shark bite to his forearm and was "bleeding pretty badly."
A deputy applied a tourniquet to the injured man's arm and piloted the man's boat to Dee Dee Bartels boat ramp, where members of Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue were waiting, the sheriff said. The man was airlifted to a local hospital where he is expected to recover.
The attack would be only the ninth confirmed unprovoked shark attack in Nassau County since 1882, according to data compiled by the International Shark Attack File.
By comparison, Duval County has had 46 such attacks during the same period and St. Johns County has had 45 attacks, according to the database established in 1958 and housed at the Florida Museum of Natural History.
With 351 shark attacks, Volusia leads the state, followed by Brevard (158), Palm Beach (83) and Duval and St. Johns counties.
On Friday, June 7, three people – two teenagers and a woman – were injured in back-to-back shark attacks in the waters off Florida’s Gulf Coast.
According to Walton County officials, the woman lost her lower left arm and suffered "significant trauma" to other areas of her body. One of the teenagers had significant injuries to the upper leg and one hand, and the other had minor injuries on one foot.
Friday’s attack in Nassau County was the first since July 13, 2018, when two people were bitten by sharks in unprovoked attacks. And in September 2015, a 12-year-old Georgia boy was bitten twice by a shark, suffering lacerations to his leg. He was treated by paramedics and taken to UF Health for stitches, the Times-Union reported.
How to avoid shark bites: How can you avoid being bitten by a shark? What to know before swimming in Florida waters
From Florida's Panhandle: Photographer captures the moment a shark washed ashore Pensacola Beach
How many people are usually bitten in Florida each year?
According to the International Shark Attack File, the state saw 16 cases last year, which represent 44% of the U.S. total and 23% of unprovoked bites worldwide. This is lower than Florida’s recent five-year annual average of 19 incidents per year.
How many shark bites have been fatal?
The ISAF wrote that there were 14 confirmed shark-related fatalities worldwide last year, 10 of which were assigned as unprovoked. This number is higher than the five-year annual global average of six unprovoked fatalities per year.
Of Florida’s 16 unprovoked bites last year, none were fatal. The last fatal shark attack in Florida was in 2010 when 38-year-old kiteboarder Stephen Howard Schafer died from massive blood loss following an attack by at least one shark in the ocean off Stuart Beach.
Researchers stress that fatal shark bites are extremely rare. In a USA TODAY article, it was revealed that the odds of dying as a result of a shark attack in the U.S. is 1 in 3,748,067.
How can you avoid being bitten by a shark?
While the chances of being bitten by a shark are very rare, the FWC offers some tips on how to avoid being attacked while out in the ocean:
Always stay in groups since sharks are more likely to bite a solitary individual.
Do not wander too far from shore; this isolates an individual and places him or her far away from assistance.
Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight hours when sharks are most active.
Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating — a shark's ability to smell blood is acute.
Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged. When light reflects off shiny jewelry, it resembles the sheen of fish scales.
Avoid waters with known discharges or sewage and waters used for any type of fishing — especially if there are signs of baitfishes or feeding activity. Diving seabirds, which frequently feed on baitfishes, are good indicators of such activity.
While there are myths and anecdotes about dolphins saving humans from shark bites, the presence of dolphins does not indicate the absence of sharks — both often eat the same foods.
Use extra caution when the waters are murky.
Remember that sharks see contrast particularly well. Uneven tans and bright-colored clothing may draw a shark's attention.
Refrain from excess splashing, as this may draw a shark's attention.
Do not allow pets in the water; their erratic movements may draw a shark’s attention.
Be careful when occupying the area between sandbars or near steep drop-offs — these are favorite hangouts for sharks.
Swim only in areas tended by lifeguards.
Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present, and get out of the water if sharks are sighted.
Never harass a shark.
USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida’s Samantha Neely, Collin Bestor, Cheryl McCloud and C.A. Bridges contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Fernandina Beach shark attack: Man critically injured after shark bite
