News of a shark attack or bite is always unsettling.
A young swimmer was was airlifted from Boca Grande in Lee County on June 11 after apparently being bitten by a shark.
It is not known where the swimmer was bitten.
The swimmer is recovering in Lee County after authorities say the injuries are consistent with those of a shark attack.
More: How can you avoid being bitten by a shark? What to know before swimming in Florida waters
Boca Grande Fire Chief C.W. Blosser said confirmed the believed attack occurred in the 2200 block of Shore Line, north of Cayo Costa, near the Lee-Charlotte county line.
Florida shark attacks: What to know
Gavin Naylor, director of International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida in Gainesville:
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There were 14 shark attacks in Florida in 2024
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Worldwide, the organization reports, there are probably 70-100 shark attacks annually, resulting in about 5 deaths.
Which Florida beach has the most shark attacks? Shark bite capital of the world is in Florida
According to ISAF, the county with the most shark attacks in the state is Volusia County, which is the “Shark Bite Capital of the World” and home to beaches like Daytona, New Smyrna and Ormond Beach.
What breed of sharks mostly bite humans?
The ISAF says the shark species responsible for most unprovoked bites on humans are the white, tiger and bull.
However, the University of Florida notes that all sharks, regardless of size, are predators and could be capable of inflicting wounds if provoked.
Do sharks attack without provocation?
The FWC’s guide to sharing the water with sharks says there’s no surefire way to avoid a shark bite, but you can reduce your chances of being bitten. Most recorded shark bites are unprovoked, according to ISAF.
“Every year, millions of tourists and residents visit Florida’s beaches and waterways, and these beaches and waterways will more than likely contain sharks,” the FWC says.
“According to experts, while there are no guaranteed ways to avoid shark bites, understanding shark behavior could help you make better decisions on when and where to swim.”
Of the 88 shark-human interactions that ISAF investigated in 2024, 47 were unprovoked and 24 were provoked. The other 17 cases included boat bites, a shark-inflicted post-mortem bite (“scavenge”) and several others were unassigned or classified as “unconfirmed.”
ISAF defines unprovoked bites as incidents where a human who didn’t interact with or provoke a shark was bitten.
According to ISAF, provoked bites include “instances when divers are bitten after harassing or trying to touch sharks, bites on spearfisherman, bites on people attempting to feed sharks, bites occurring while unhooking or removing a shark from a fishing net and so forth.”
Here are 15 tips to reduce your chances of being bitten by a shark from FWC
Bull sharks gather to inspect a group of divers and a bait box that has caught their attending off the coast of Jupiter, Florida, on Feb. 12, 2022.
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Stay in groups, since sharks are more likely to bite a solitary individual.
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Don’t wander too far from shore, which isolates you and places you far away from assistance.
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Avoid being in the water in the dark or during twilight hours, when sharks are most active.
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Don’t get in the water if you’re bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating. A shark’s ability to smell blood is acute.
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Avoid wearing shiny jewelry in the water. When light reflects off of shiny jewelry – especially under the water – it resembles the sheen of fish scales and might make you look like shark food.
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Avoid waters with known discharges or sewage and waters used for any type of fishing – especially if there are signs of bait fish or feeding activity. Diving seabirds, which frequently feed on bait fish, are good indicators.
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While there are myths and anecdotes about dolphins saving humans from shark bites, the presence of dolphins doesn’t mean there aren’t sharks in the water – both often eat the same foods.
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Use extra caution when the water looks murky.
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Remember that sharks see contrast particularly well. Uneven tans and bright-colored clothing or swimsuits could draw a shark’s attention.
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Try not to splash and thrash around in the water, as this may draw a shark’s attention.
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Don’t allow pets in the water: their erratic movements may draw a shark’s attention.
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Be careful when swimming in the area between sandbars or near steep drop-offs are some of the sharks’ favorite places to hang out.
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Swim only on beaches with lifeguards on duty.
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Don’t get in the water if sharks are known to be present, and get out of the water if sharks are sighted.
Samantha Neely and Lianna Norman of the USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida shark attack: How common is it for swimmers to be bitten?
