THE SeAHAWK/SEPTEMBER IB, 200 1
Surfers, swimmers should exercise caution at the beach
BEN Jones
The summer’s high profile shark at
tacks have heightened concern about
ocean safety.
News reports across the Southeast
ern United States of shark attacks have
many people avoiding the Atlantic
Ocean for fear of a possible encoun
ter. For UNCW students, however,
of the main attractions to the
university are the nearby beaches.
Many students continue to enjoy the
n and sand before the fall weather
arrives. Evan Swink, a staff writer for
The Seahawk, recently saw a sand
shark not very far off the shore at the
Blockade Runner at Wrightsville
Beach. The colors of the shark and its
movement allowed him to recognize
the animal.
‘Now there’s proof that they are out
there,” Swink said. “I just have to keep
mind and go about my business
bnd simply mind my surroundings
when in the water.”
Much more often than sharks, surf-
s can be seen off the New Hanover
County coastline. One surfer, Mike
Horan, expressed concern about the re
attacks in the North Carolina/Vir-
i area. “It’s kind of sketchy out
Ihere. Big ripples in the water kind of
edgy. I’m in a surf contest [at
Virginia Beach] this weekend, so I
^uess I’ll just have to watch my toes.”
Horan is a 21-year-old member of the
Virginia Beach Coast Guard.
Seth White, a 19-year-old
Wilmington resident originally from
“ looresville, N.C., said he didn’t worry
Safe swimming tips
• Always stay in groups since sharks are more likely to attack a ,™Ltary
iadividuai.
• Do not wander too far from shore. This isolates an individual and addi
tonally places one far away from assistance.
• Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight hours wiicu mwjm
we most active and have a sensory advantage.
• Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or. if menstruat-
iag. A shark’s olfactory ability is acute.
• Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged because the reflected Ught lesetnbies
tfie sheen of fish scales.
• Avoid waters with known effluents or sewage and those being used by
sport or commercial anglers, especially if there are signs of bait fish or feed
ing activity. Diving seabirds are good indicators of such action.
• Sightings of porpoises do not indicate the absence of sharks. Both often
eat the same food.
• Use extra caution when waters are murky and avoid uneven tanning and
bright colored clothing. Sharks see contrast particularly well.
• Refrain from excess splashing and do not allow pets in the water because
of their erratic movements.
• Exercise caution when occupying the area between sandbars or near steep
drop-oflfs. These are favorite hangouts for sharks.
• Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present and evacuate the
water if sharks are seen while there. Do not harass a shark if you see one!
Information provided by the Shade Research Program at the University of Florida
Museum of Natural History.
much about shark attacks. “I don’t
n anyway because the water’s go-
think there is really a problem. Actu- i„g to get colder and the sharks will
ally, it’s kind of good because it keeps leave.”
a lot of people out of the water that you staff writer Evan Swink and
may end up running over,” White said. Lifestyles Editor Sarah van Schagen
“If you just respect [the sharks] then I contributed to this article.
think you’ll be fine. It will all be over
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