July 1 (UPI) -- A teenage girl has lost her leg, but is alive, after she was attacked by a shark along the coast in northwestern Florida on Thursday, authorities said. Not quite, says Naylor: Unprovoked bites give us significantly more insight into the biology and behavior of sharks. Woman swimming with shark swimming beneath her - Courtesy: Shutterstock - Image by Willyam Bradberry . DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A 33-year-old man is recovering after he was bitten on the foot by a shark off the coast of Daytona Beach. The West coast has seen nearly 100 attacks in the last 30 years. Of Florida's 28 unprovoked shark bites, 63 percent or 17 bites were in . Contact Christopher Cann at ccann@tallahassee.com and follow @ChrisCannFL on Twitter. The U.S. had only a single unprovoked fatality, which occurred late in the year when a snorkeler went missing along Keawakapu Beach in Maui, Hawaii. The fact is that the ocean weve been enjoying for the last 30 years or so has not been in the healthiest state, Hueter said. Dozens of shark bites have been tallied up around the world since 2022 kicked off - but Florida . Of these, five attacks were fatal, down from nine deaths in 2021, and 10 the year prior. GiveSendGo.com . Shark attacks increased around the world in 2021 following three consecutive years of decline, . The overall reduction in the number of bites last year may reflect thedocumented global declineof shark populations. Thats when bites occur.. Of these . To cut costs, Amazon delays completion of second headquarters, closes retail stores. The swimmer, a62-year-old Monterey man, suffered significant injuries from the shark bite, and was taken to a hospital, police said. Humans essentially got used to seeing a depleted shark population over the past few decades, Hueter says. Unprovoked bites give us significantly more insight into the biology and behavior of sharks, Naylor said. "It's a miracle she survived this and I know if Rhett hadn't been the one that was with her when it happened we may be in a very different scenario right now.". Its also a time when young sharks that were born in the spring or early summer are fairly abundant in coastal waters, in places like New York.. Dry Tortugas, Florida. Across the world there were 57 unprovoked shark bites in 2022, most of which occurred in the United States and Australia, said the University of Florida's international shark attack file, a . Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. By comparison, on Floridas Gulf coast, sharks have lots more territory to spread out and there are fewer human-shark encounters, Hueter says. The stats are in: turns out the number of unprovoked shark attacks worldwide decreased last year, [+] tying 2020s global numbers. Beware of sharks swimming closer to shore, 'Large sharks are here': Researchers warn of great white sharks near Cape Cod, "Swimmers and scallopers are cautioned to be alert, vigilant, and practice shark safety," the incident summary added. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Desperate attempt to rescue victim of fatal shark attack caught on video, Teen killed by shark while trying to swim with dolphins, Great white shark decapitates diver in first fatal attack of 2023: report, This is the creature that has great white sharks trembling with fear. What lies beneath coastal waters? The good news is that, while there are more shark bites in Volusia County than anywhere else in the world, most arent serious. 1, 2022 at 4:57 PM EDT TAYLOR COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) - A 17-year-old girl attacked by a shark at Keaton Beach Thursday has a long road to . 02:57 - Source: CNN. Shark attack survivor Addison Bethea and her brother Rhett Willingham spoke to CNN from her hospital bed on Monday, July 4. There were five fatal attacks, down from nine in 2021 and ten the year before. CDFW scientists reported they had not determined a size estimate for the shark. COCOA BEACH, Florida - Florida accounted for 39% of all shark attacks in the U.S. and 28% of the world's total in 2022 according to the University of Florida International Shark Attack File (ISAF) 2022 Worldwide Shark Attack Summary. In 2021, there were almost 50 unprovoked shark attacks in the United States -- more than any other country. Published ORLANDO, Fla. Florida is once again the shark bite capital of the world as numbers jumped globally after three years of declines, according to the annual update from the International Shark Attack File. Pittsburgh woman missing for 31 years found alive in Puerto Rico, School shooting survivor has emotional audition on "American Idol". When those schools make their way in towards the beach, sharks come with them, he said. 8:05 AM EDT, Sat July 30, 2022. Last year, about 60% of all unprovoked shark attacks in the United States -- and almost 40% of all attacks worldwide -- occurred in . Shark attacks increased worldwide in 2021, . 2023 www.gainesville.com. The combination means the number of people at beaches in Florida continues to grow quickly. Heres What We Can All Learn, A Psychologist Reveals 4 Ways To Heal And Move On After A Breakup, Revolutionary New Radio Array Will Capture Unprecedented Images, Full Worm Moon 2023: Exactly When To See This Weeks Perfect Alignment Of The Sun And Moon, A Psychologist Offers Three Tips For Dealing With Extreme PMS. Addison Bethea, left, faces a long fight ahead after she was bitten by a shark off Keaton Beach in Florida. The first two were at New Smyrna Beach again. There's young sharks being born, but in the grand scheme of things, they've been there for years and years," said Chris Schreiber, Director of Animal Care for the Florida Aquarium. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. A shark had sliced his tendon, punctured an artery and damaged a nerve. The girl was scalloping with her family nearGrassy Island, just off Keaton Beach, in water approximately 5 feet deep, a TCSOincident summary stated. She was airlifted to . Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Reddit. Although Bethea faces a long recovery, the teen is optimistic about ultimately returning to the water. I felt like I stepped on a knife. People everywhere from New York to California suffered gruesome injuries that were a result of an un According to the Florida Museum's shark attack file, there have been eight isolated shark attacks in Collier County, eight in Lee County, and one in . March 3 (UPI) -- At a White House meeting on Friday, President Joe Biden thanked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for Germany's "profound" help in countering Russian aggression in Ukraine. The majority of documented shark attacks in the US happen in Florida. If youd like to learn more about shark bites, as well as how to avoid them, be sure to read: Jim Fulcher has been a writer and editor his entire career. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Most of these migratory animals will be approaching, if not at, the northernmost part of their range, Hueter said. Take precautions Sharks are far from the . 2023 FOX Television Stations, until SAT 7:00 PM EST, Pinellas County, Coastal Hillsborough County, Coastal Manatee County, Coastal Sarasota County, St. Pete restaurant employees burned after co-worker sprays grease on them, police say, One month ago, Harriet the eagle disappeared from her famous Florida nest, Valrico man killed after driving off Selmon Expressway ramp and into nearby apartment parking lot, 3 Daughters head brewer killed in Skyway Bridge accident, company says, Tampa residents of mobile home park get more time to vacate after Hillsborough County contacts landlord, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' Actor, Dies at 61 after suffering brain aneurysm, 8-year-old girl who performed solo wins big in cheer competition after team didn't show up, From Coconut Road to Moose Tracks, here's the scoop on how Publix creates its ice cream, North Port brush fire: Roads reopen after fire forces closures on I-75; schools evacuate as precaution. 2022 / 8:36 AM Florida shark bites declined in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as there were not as many tourists and people swimming in the water. March 3 (UPI) -- A former U.S. soldier was sentenced to 45 years in prison Friday for planning a deadly ambush on members of his military unit. Locations and information on 2022 shark attacks and shark bites. The odds of getting fatally attacked by a shark remain less than 1 in 4 million, according to the International Shark Attack File. Tuesday 16 August 2022 14:34. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. There are enormous aggregations of animals dashing around the surf at times, Hueter said. ISAF had only recorded 12 unprovoked bites in New York's history prior to 2022. Most of the bites in Florida occur on the states Atlantic coast. City officials said he had injuries to his stomach and leg. Volusia County has an annual average of nine unprovoked shark attacks per year. "When June comes around and tourist season starts in earnest, there are many more people in the water and it can seem as if there is a sudden spike in bites," Naylor said. The biological species of the sharkremains unknown, but it wasdescribed as being approximately nine feet long. A Warner Bros. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. The group released its annual report this month and found 73 documented attacks last year, a stark contrast from 2020s total of 52. currents than sharks, according to the World Health Organization. Although he was bitten on the knee and calf, the man was not transported to the hospital by ambulance, Ocean Rescue Captain Tamra Malphurs said. The siblings' mother, Michele Murphy, praised Willingham and called her daughter's survival " a miracle. 0:34. March 3 (UPI) -- The legal team representing former President Donald Trump has formally requested a six-month delay in the fraud civil case filed against him by New York Attorney General Letitia James. There were five fatal attacks, down from nine in 2021 and ten the year before. Before 2022, there were only 12 recorded unprovoked bites in New Yorks history, including four from the past decade, according to the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Addison Bethea has always been an athletic girl. Hueter says that many of these bites occur when humans are swimming in or near large schools of prey fish. Florida is home to a variety of sharks, including bull sharks, lemon sharks, giant hammerhead and tiger sharks. Please enter valid email address to continue. Despite there being three shark attacks in Florida in less than a week, experts say there's no need for concern. The one notable exception was in 2020, as COVID-19-related travel restrictions and beach closures likely resulted in fewer encounters between humans and sharks. That represents 60% of all unprovoked attacks across the U.S. As of August 16, there have been 32 shark . South Africa, which averages a few bites a year, had two unprovoked attacks in 2022, both of which were fatal and likely caused by white sharks. Published: 22:37, 7 Jul 2022; . And beach season for New Yorkers coincides with the time when most shark species head north for cooler water. The attack occurred near Grassy Island just off Keaton Beach. Jameson Reeder Jr (left, in blue) was on vacation with his family in Florida Keys. "A family member reportedly jumped in the water and beat the shark until the juvenile was free," the summary read. When it comes to shark attacks, Florida typically tops global charts. By Keegan Sentner | Published Jul 6, 2022 6:22 PM Survival Shark attacks, while rare, can be brutal and traumatic. Over the course of numerous trips, Jim has driven an RV through West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. "A family member reportedly jumped in the water and beat the shark until the juvenile was free," the Taylor County Sheriff's Office said in a statement posted to Facebook. Recounting details about the incident during a recent interview at the hospital where she is currently receiving treatment, Bethea explained how her older brother, firefighter Rhett Willingham, managed to fend off the shark and provide emergency medical support after pulling her to safety. Whats more, its still highly unlikely beach goers in the area will be bitten by a shark. appreciated. Former U.S. serviceman sentenced to 45 years for planning attack on fellow soldiers. Her brother, Rhett Willingham, helped rescue her. (June 22), Beware of sharks swimming closer to shore, Researchers warn of great white sharks near Cape Cod, a shark attacked a swimmeralong the central California coast, The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. A Psychologist Offers 2 Tips To Help You Succeed In A New Romance, NASAs New Moon Rocket Crackles 40 Million Times Greater Than A Bowl Of Rice Krispies, Say Scientists, A Psychologist Gives 3 Tips To Help You Design Your Perfect Work Cave, My TikTok On Friendship Breakups Went Viral. The chances of being bitten are extremely rare and are about 1 in 4 million. Thursday's attack is one of the latest in an alarming pattern of similar incidents. ", "My daughter, by medical standards, should not be alive right now and I know that," Murphy said. which explains why nearly all shark attacks that occur in Florida waters are of a bite-and-release nature," the FWC says. Turns out the number of unprovoked shark attacks worldwide decreased last year, tying 2020s global numbers (that were most likely influenced by COVID-19s lockdowns)! I'm lucky, but I don't know what is going to happen," Olivares said. Boy, 10, loses part of his leg after shark attack in Florida Keys. 17-year-old seriously injured in shark attack off Florida 01:37. . But University of Florida's International Shark Attack File (ISAF) report has come out for 2022 and it couldnt paint a more different picture if it tried. Lesion removed from Biden's chest was common form of skin cancer, doctor says. 2. Addison Bethea, a teenage girl, was scalloping with her family off Keaton Beach in Taylor County . A 10-year-old boy is "in good spirits" after having a portion of his leg amputated due to a shark attack. Jackie Forst, 68, was vacationing with her sister and friends July 23 when she and her sister Marilyn went for a swim before 8 p.m. This can increase the possibility of humans coming into conflict with a shark. 01/24/22 Jack . This story has been shared 170,718 times. 2023 Cable News Network. Secondly, going to the beach is an increasingly popular activity. WILL GREENLEE/TCPALM, Tallahassee couple came across FAMU's Marching 100 while in Paris, Leon County judge rules Floridas 15-week abortion law unconstitutional, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Not only that, but 2020 and 2022 saw the fewest number of reported incidents in the last decade. She had to have her leg amputated following the attack. According to the University of FloridasInternational Shark Attack File, there were a total of 57 unprovoked bites in 2022, most of which occurred in the United States and Australia. He was wading in waist-deep water with his dad . In Florida, where the majority of US shark attacks happen, people were nearly 21 times more likely to die in a tornado (125 deaths) than a shark bite (six deaths) between 1985 and 2010. USFWS. The Taylor County Sheriff's Office shared a statement on Facebook from the victim's father, who said his daughter had a vein removed from her left leg and suffered nerve damage. But recently, New York has been making headlines for a spate of dangerous encounters that have rattled New Yorkers and triggered beach closures. Florida teen Addison Bethea speaks to CNN's Brianna Keilar after surviving a shark attack off the state's Gulf Coast while scalloping in shallow waters. The odds may be against being bitten by a shark, but at the same time, it certainly makes sense to take steps to further decrease those chances. 30, 2022 at 5:30 PM EDT | Updated: Jul. Florida once again reported more shark attacks than anywhere else in the world, new data released by the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File shows, while the U.S. and Australia saw the most unprovoked shark attacks in 2022. The number of shark bites occurring in Florida this year are in line with long term trends, despite a recent . If youre reading the newspaper, scrolling your various socail media feeds, or watching the news, it seems like shark attacks are a common occurrence during the summer months - no matter the hemisphere you are in! The teen spoke from her hospital bed in Tallahassee a day after the attack. Find more information at www.trackingsharks.com "It was hooked in the gills, and I was trying to get the hook out when the shark took . And thats going to drive more people to the water than ever before, which just simply increases your probability of somebody getting accidentally bit, said Christopher Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at California State University Long Beach. Additionally, sharks may be moving north as climate change and rising sea temperatures push their prey north in search of cooler waters. The attack happened near Keaton Beach and after several . In the case of Volusia County, the Ponce de Leon Inlet has a strong tidal flow, which leads to more baitfish in the area, Naylor explains. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. We've received your submission. Theres reason to believe juveniles are more prone to bite, because theyre less experienced and may feel more threatened because theyre smaller, Hueter said. Shark attacks are somewhat common near the beaches in Florida. Florida's 16 shark attacks in 2022 were lower than the recent (2017-2021) average of 22 attacks. Bull sharks and tiger sharks have a reputation for being aggressive, although attacks are rarely unprovoked. He's one of the three people in Florida who've been attacked by sharks in the last week. Climate change plays a role, but is not the biggest driver at the moment of shark bites, Hueter says. The group was off Little Africa Reef, around 70 miles from Key . Sharks may attack when they mistake a human in the water for something else. 0:00. The shark species remained unknown Friday, but it wasdescribed as being approximately nine feet long. Some shark species often dwell in very shallow waters close to the shore, where tourists swim. Trump legal team requests six-month delay in New York civil lawsuit. Changing the environment such that sharks are drawn to the area in search of their natural food source might prompt them to bite humans when they otherwise wouldnt., As in previous years, the U.S. had the highest number of bites, and Florida again had more reported bites than anywhere else on Earth. This thin strip of water, where inbound waves that may have traveled for hundreds of miles finally snag on the rising coastal sea floor and topple over, creates the perfect environment for surfers and sharks alike, the ISAF explains. The single unprovoked USA fatality, occurred late in the year when a snorkeler went missing along Keawakapu Beach in Maui, Hawaii. "This is one of those places where the increased number of people in the water leads to an increased opportunity for mistaken identity to occur," Schreiber said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A teenage girl was seriously injuredin ashark attack in Floridaon Thursday, marking the second reported attack in just over a weekacross the nation. And the world is on track for another very normal shark-bite year, with about 70 to 80 unprovoked attacks expected, according to Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research at the Florida Museum of Natural History. . There's no evidence to suggest shark numbers are necessarily correlated with the number of sharks bites, he told 9news.com.au, saying several factors could explain this drop. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Jameson Reeder Jr. was snorkeling in a shallow reef in the Florida Keys with his parents, his two brothers, and his sister "when a very traumatic event occurred," the child's uncle Joshua Reeder wrote on Facebook Sunday. GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The number of unprovoked shark attacks worldwide decreased last year, tying with 2020 for the fewest number of reported incidents in the last 10 years. "I had so many people comment on my Instagram saying, 'I'm so scared of the ocean now.' CASE: GSAF 2022.10.10.R DATE: Reported October 10, 2022 LOCATION: Key Largo, Monroe County, Florida, USA NAME: Malec Mata DESCRIPTION: A 15-year-old male from South Florida BACKGROUND DEPTH OF WATER: Waist-deep NARRATIVE: Malec Mata was casting bait when the small nurse shark got wrapped up in their fishing line. Earlier this week, great white shark researchers on Cape Cod warned visitors that warmer weather signals not just the start of the busy tourist season, but also thearrival of the regions famous predators. her on Twitter@nataliealund. Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Programme for Shark Research, said there are multiple factors at play causing the high number of shark attacks in the state. Worldwide, five people . On the way up, when I had the lobster in my hand, I felt a little tap on the back of my leg, and I looked behind me and the shark was in my face," Hricko said. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. Thats what people know what theyve grown up with, so they think thats the way it should be., Go back to the 1950s, 1960s, you find the fishing was better, sharks were better, more birds, everything, he said. And the 2022 confirmed unprovoked case number is lower than the most recent five-year (2017-2021) average of 70 incidents annually. Addison Bethea, a 17-year-old high school student from Perry, Florida, was scalloping on Keaton Beach when she was attacked by a 9-foot-long shark on June 30. A 21-year-old man was bitten by a shark in a part of Florida unofficially known as the Shark Bite Capital of the World earlier this week. March 7, 2022 Kevin McMurray. You can find more tips for being safe and decreasing the chances of being bitten by a shark here. 01/22/22 Liam snorkeling when they disturbed a wobbegong shark. They advise swimmers to avoid making erratic movements in the water, swimming in the ocean alone and swimming near fishermen and large schools of fish. Officials said the teen was scalloping with members of her family when the shark attacked. Taylor County Sheriff's Office reported the . Additionally, sharks may bite because they feel threatened and are just trying to defend themselves. However, at this time of year, they are usually further north, meaning they are likely not the culprits. Hueter attributes this to the proximity of the Gulf stream to the shore, significant waves, congestion of surfers and swimmers and the large schools of sharks in the area. After Thursday's attack, the Taylor County Sheriff's Office reminded beach-goers to be vigilant and safe. It wasn't immediately known exactly what type of shark attacked the girl, but authorities said it was about 9 feet long. A Texas woman is still recovering from a shark attack that occurred in the Florida Keys last week. Footage of the shallow-water sharknado is making waves online amid a spike in attacks . Mourners gather at memorial for 53 migrants who died in Te Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, US home prices just did something they haven't done since 2012, Rebel Wilson says Meghan Markle isnt as naturally warm as Prince Harry, Kristen Doute supports Ariana Madix amid mutual ex Tom Sandovals scandal, Celeb-loved jewelry brand Dorsey drops dazzling new styles, Undertaker transforms coffin into barbecue grill, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, Tom Sandoval breaks silence on Ariana Madix split amid cheating claims. Last year, about 60% of all unprovoked shark attacks in the United States -- and almost 40% of all attacks worldwide -- occurred in Florida. He was wading in waist-deep water with his dad off the coast of Daytona Beach last Monday when he says a shark bit his foot. Florida Museum of Natural History researchers suggest that unprovoked bites are declining because shark populations are declining globally, but Australian Marine Conservation Society shark scientist Dr. Leonardo Guida isnt too sure. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Updated August 16, 2022 2:02 PM. Beachgoers are more likely to be injured or killed by coastal features like rip tides and strong currents than sharks, according to the World Health Organization. Florida dad Brett Reeder is back on the waters after a shark bit his finger during a family fishing day off the Summerland Key on July 17.. A now-deleted TikTok video shows Reeder leaning over the edge of the boat and wrestling with the shark in shallow water. Neither authorities nor witnesses have been able to confirm the species of shark that attacked Bethea, although people who saw it happen later estimated that the animal was roughly 9 feet long. The Taylor . The girl was wading in 5-foot waters in Taylor County around 3 p.m . Many attacks are cases of mistaken identity, occurring under conditions of poor water visibility, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. Migrant woman dies after U.S. Coast Guard stops vessel carrying 54. A family member reportedly jumped in the water and beat the shark until the juvenile was free, the Taylor County Sheriffs Office said in a statement posted toFacebook. Marine coasts and estuaries are a favorite feeding ground for a variety of fishes, which take advantage of the tides to scope out new food and rummage near the shallow seafloor for plants and invertebrates, the ISAF continues. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A 33-year-old man is recovering after he was bitten on the foot by a shark off the coast of Daytona Beach. July 4, 2022 / 3:57 PM International Shark Attack Files Florida Museum of Natural History Dickinson Hall 1659 Museum Rd PO Box 117800 University of Florida . Naylor also noted that in the months before June there are fewer people in the water, so there "are very few bites.". U.S. Advertisement. They're always migrating at this point in time. These smaller fishes, in turn, attract sharks, which sometimes mistake humans for prey.. They have also been known to attack humans when they become confused or curious. "I saw a big one, and I got it in my hand. "And she was under the water and then she came back up and there was blood all around her and I saw the shark.