An 18-year-old surf instructor suffered a shark bite while surfing at New Smyrna Beach, Florida. This beach earns its reputation as the shark bite capital. Around midday, a shark bit the young man’s foot. Thankfully, he did not sustain life-threatening injuries. Emergency responders rushed to the scene immediately.
After the shark bit his foot, rescuers took the surfer to a nearby hospital. His employer called the injury “nasty,” showing its seriousness without being fatal. Eyewitnesses said lifeguards and police officers arrived quickly to help.
New Smyrna Beach lies just south of Daytona Beach. The area earned the name shark bite capital because of frequent shark encounters. This attack marked the fourth shark bite in Volusia County this year, highlighting the ongoing risk.
A few weeks earlier, another surfer, Matthew Bender, experienced a shark bite at the same beach. He described the bite as a bear trap snapping shut on his leg. Although he never saw the shark, he felt strong pressure. The shark shook its head before releasing him.
Volusia County recorded 359 unprovoked shark attacks since 1882. That number tops every other Florida county. Experts point to many factors behind this high total. The waters hold many sharks, attract numerous people, and contain nutrients that lure sea life.
Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research, said blacktip sharks cause most bites. These sharks mainly eat fish. When they bite humans, they often let go quickly. This behavior leads to less serious injuries.
Bull and tiger sharks bite harder and stay longer, causing worse injuries. Fortunately, these sharks appear less often near New Smyrna Beach.
The shark bite capital continues to draw surfers despite the dangers. Officials advise visitors to stay alert and follow safety rules. Although shark bites worry locals, they rarely cause deaths.
New Smyrna Beach remains a popular surfing spot. Visitors enjoy the excitement but know to act cautiously due to frequent shark activity.
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