NEPTUNE BEACH, FL - Memorial Day is over and you know what that means. Americans are heading toward beaches and into the ocean. But is that a good idea?
According to a shark expert at the University of Florida, we`re gonna see more encounters this year than last. And last year's 98 attacks broke a record!!
A 13-year-old boy was attacked over the holiday weekend by a 6-foot-shark while wading through chest-deep water near Jacksonville, Florida.
Heidin Perez witnessed the whole thing. "He was screaming it hurts, it hurts and we could just see the trail of blood leading over here."
Another witness shot video of the boy right after lifeguards carried him out of the water.
Richmond Banks, Captain of Neptune Beach Ocean Rescue has a tip that could save you from becoming shark food. "Anytime you are out in the water and you see little fish starting to jump around you, it's time to move out of that area.”
Despite an 8-inch long bite in his lower leg, the boy is in stable condition.
So why the spike in feeding frenzies??
The director of the International Shark Attack File says it's simple math. More sharks plus more people. The number of sharks have been increasing steadily for years as efforts to conserve their populations increase. And, as ocean temps rise, so do the number of beach goers!
In other news about man-eaters, Florida authorities pulled a body from the Everglades after fisherman discovered alligators feeding on it. They don`t think the gators killed the male victim, but they sure didn't hesitate to snack on his remains.
So moral of the story -- Florida waters aren't for the faint of heart!
