I would not go so far as to say, "I would recommend against swimming
anyplace there is a chance of encountering sharks or alligators." That
rules out just about every place between Mobile and the Hudson River.
One assumes an acceptable risk when swimming in the southern salt and fresh
waters, and one takes a few basic precautions while at it. Based upon a
freakish shark kill here in St Andrew Bay a couple years back where 200-plus
sharks were found dead inside the bay along a several mile stretch, I'd
surmise that I never get in the water here without a shark knowing I am
there. That die off probably illustrates how few times sharks really do
want to attack humans. However, I do not go in where bait fish abound and
never at dusk and dawn (who wants to be in the water at dawn anyway?) when
predators feed. Stay away from ledges and drop-offs with currents because
predators like those areas too. Don't swim in isolated swampy areas unless
necessary, and if so, post a lookout for suspicious looking "logs." Stay
out of murky waters where sharks can't tell the difference between you and
what they really want to eat.
The only death from shark attack in our area in memory going back many years
was immediately after a storm in murky waters near a drop-off.
Rich Gano
CALYPSO (GB-42-295)
Southport, FL (Panama City area)
I would not go so far as to say, "I would recommend against swimming
anyplace there is a chance of encountering sharks or alligators." That
rules out just about every place between Mobile and the Hudson River.
One assumes an acceptable risk when swimming in the southern salt and fresh
waters, and one takes a few basic precautions while at it. Based upon a
freakish shark kill here in St Andrew Bay a couple years back where 200-plus
sharks were found dead inside the bay along a several mile stretch, I'd
surmise that I never get in the water here without a shark knowing I am
there. That die off probably illustrates how few times sharks really do
want to attack humans. However, I do not go in where bait fish abound and
never at dusk and dawn (who wants to be in the water at dawn anyway?) when
predators feed. Stay away from ledges and drop-offs with currents because
predators like those areas too. Don't swim in isolated swampy areas unless
necessary, and if so, post a lookout for suspicious looking "logs." Stay
out of murky waters where sharks can't tell the difference between you and
what they really want to eat.
The only death from shark attack in our area in memory going back many years
was immediately after a storm in murky waters near a drop-off.
Rich Gano
CALYPSO (GB-42-295)
Southport, FL (Panama City area)
