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The Reality of Shark Attacks on Florida’s Emerald Coast and Highway 30A

Introduction

 The Florida Panhandle features some of the most beautiful, pristine beaches in the world, glistening blue/green oceans, and peaceful vacation retreats.  The area is often referred to as Florida’s Emerald Coast, and it features Scenic Highway 30A in Walton County. But like most other beautiful coastal retreats, these sites are also home to a diversity of aquatic species, including sharks. Over the past 75 years, there have been shark encounters along the Emerald Coast, but the data shows the most of any year has been three with the average being somewhere close to one every three years.  Ironically, the three most recent attacks occurred along the 30A corridor in Walton County on June 7, 2024 four miles apart. It is not known if this attack was by one rogue shark or just coincidence. Luckily, all three victims survived, but two suffered significant injuries. As a result of the recent attacks, we wanted to take a look at  historical records, analyze how frequently they happen by year, break down the attacks by county in the Emerald Coast, and display the months most common to see a shark attack.  

An Overview of Shark Attacks Through History 

Beachgoers frequently visit the Highway 30A region, a picturesque route that runs along the Gulf of Mexico, and the Emerald Coast, which stretches from Pensacola to Panama City and includes five counties – Escambia (Pensacola), Santa Rosa (Navarre), Okaloosa (Ft. Walton, Destin), Walton (30A and Miramar Beach), and Bay (Panama City) counties. Shark attacks do occur, although they are relatively uncommon. The number of shark attacks in this area that have been reported over the previous 75 years has varied annually as of June 2024.  These incidents aside, the average year is relatively “shark free” in terms of injuries. 

Emerald Coast Shark Attacks by Year (Since 1959)

After sifting through shark attack data*, separating provoked vs. unprovoked attacks, and eliminating incidents that go back into the 1700s, we decided to just review data since 1959 for this analysis.  There were also encounters with sharks that resulted in no injuries, so that data was also removed. Lastly, zeroed in on just the Emerald Coast (Florida Panhandle) counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay counties in this dataset.

Shark Attacks by Year in Florida Panhandle

Shark Attacks by Year in Florida Panhandle
  • This data shows 26 shark injuries since 1959. That is approximately one every 75 years.
  • Of those injuries, three were fatal with the last one being in 2005 (Walton County).
  • 2024 is certainly a peak occurrence of years in recent history with all being on the same day within two hours of each other make 2024 somewhat of an anomaly.  This is the most since 2013, and is certainly rare compared to past years. 

Shark Attacks by County in Florida Panhandle

Here is the breakdown by County in the Emerald Coast (Florida Panhandle)

Shark Attacks by County Florida Panhandle
Shark Attacks by County Florida Panhandle

The data shows

  • Bay County – 9
  • Escambia County – 7
  • Walton County – 6
  • Okaloosa – 4 
  • Total = 26
  • There have been 3 fatalities – Bay – 2 (1959, 1988), Walton -1 (2005)

Frequency by Month for Emerald Coast

Florida Panhandle Attacks by Month
Florida Panhandle Attacks by Month

The summer months offer the most likelihood of a shark attack, but also features the most visitors to the Emerald Coast 

  • June is clearly the highest month, with 10
  • September 4
  • August and July: 3 each

Location of Shark Attacks in Walton County

The infographic below shows some of the locations along scenic Highway 30A

Walton County Map of Shark Attacks
Walton County Map of Shark Attacks
 

With its twenty-four-mile stretch of picturesque beaches, 30A has seen very few shark attacks in its history. Even though these instances are worrying, the area receives millions of visitors annually.

  • 2005: At Miramar Beach, there was the first attack in recent memory. Sadly, this encounter proved to be lethal.  It occurred in Miramar Beach, before the West end of 30A Highway begins.
  • 2008: Although it was not fatal, there was another attack that was reported in the Santa Rosa Beach area.
  • 2021: A non-fatal incident was documented at Grayton Beach, indicating a long time had passed since the previous occurrence.
  • 2023: Three non-fatal attacks occurred this year close to well-known beaches like Seacrest Beach and Watersound Beach on the East End of 30A. 

Even if these occurrences are concerning, it’s important to remember that they are incredibly uncommon. Beachgoers can continue to enjoy the stunning beaches of 30A with confidence if they are aware of the patterns of shark activity and follow safety advice.

 

Beachgoer Safety Advice

  1. Swim in Groups:
    • Sharks are more likely to target solitary individuals. Swimming in groups reduces the risk of shark encounters.
  1. Avoid Swimming at Dusk and Dawn:
    • These are peak feeding times for many shark species. Stick to swimming during daylight hours when visibility is better.
  1. Stay in Designated Swimming Areas:
    • Lifeguards monitor these areas for shark activity and other dangers. Swimming in these zones is generally safer.
  2. Avoid Wearing Shiny Jewelry:
    • Reflections from jewelry can resemble fish scales, potentially attracting sharks. Leave your shiny accessories on the shore.
  3. Don’t Swim Near Fishing Areas:
    • Areas where people are fishing can attract sharks due to bait and fish in the water. Avoid swimming near piers or boats that are actively fishing.
  4. Avoid Entering the Water with an Open Wound:
    • Sharks have a keen sense of smell and can detect blood from afar. If you have an open wound, it’s best to stay out of the water.
  5. Don’t Swim in Murky Water:
    • Sharks can mistake you for prey in low-visibility conditions. Clear water allows both you and sharks to see each other better, reducing the likelihood of mistaken identity.
  6. Avoid Excessive Splashing:
    • Splashing can attract sharks by mimicking the movements of distressed or injured prey. Try to swim smoothly and avoid unnecessary splashing.
  7. Be Cautious Around Sandbars and Drop-offs:
    • Sharks often patrol these areas looking for food. Stay in shallower waters away from sudden drop-offs and sandbars.
  8. Follow Local Shark Advisories:
    • Pay attention to local news, beach advisories, and signs about recent shark sightings or warnings. Lifeguards and local authorities provide valuable information about current conditions.

 

In Summary

Shark attacks along Florida’s Emerald Coast and 30A may not happen frequently, but they do follow specific patterns that can help beachgoers stay safe and informed. By taking the appropriate precautions and being aware of when these attacks are most likely to occur, visitors may enjoy the gorgeous beaches in peace of mind. Remember that the ocean is a shared space and that treating its inhabitants with respect is necessary for harmonious coexistence.

Take in the beauty of 30A and the Emerald Coast, but use caution and due diligence.

 

 

Cheers!

-5Tides

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