The danger of getting attacked by a shark in California is low, but this does not mean it will not happen. A shark attack is a terrible experience and could cause serious injuries or damage to the victim.
One such event is the recent shark attack on the central California coast Wednesday. A man in his 60s suffered significant injuries after being attacked by a shark. He survives and is currently recovering.
Shark Attack in California
The Pacific Grove Police Department said that the shark attack happened at Lovers Point Beach in Monterey Bay, according to AP via US News. The swimmer was identified as Stephen Bruemmer, a retired Monterey Penninsula College professor.
He suffered "significant injuries from the shark bite" and was immediately taken to the nearest hospital with the help of nearby swimmers and surfers, who towed him to the beach on a surfboard. Other volunteers also gave him first aid.
City officials told the news outlet that Stephen suffered injuries to his stomach and leg. He also had a broken femur. He is already conscious and is expected to recover soon.
The incident left many shocked and traumatized. Rescuer Amee Johns said in an interview that she was so nervous upon seeing Stephen because, at one point, she was off her paddleboard and was swimming and kicking while a surfer was pulling Stephen to rescue him.
Officials could not identify the age, sex, or type of the shark that attacked Stephen. Firefighters also deployed drones to search for it but with no luck. Due to the incident, the beach will remain closed until Saturday.
The last unprovoked shark attack in California happened last Christmas Eve, killing the 42-year-old Tomas Butterfield from Sacramento in Morro Bay. It was also the only unprovoked fatal shark attack in the country that year.
How Often Are Shark Attacks in California?
Shark attacks in California are rare, with only 130 cases from 1926 to the present, according to Florida Museum. Most of these attacks involved the white shark, Carcharodon carcharias.
On average, California has about 1.8 attacks annually per decade. It is still lesser than the number of drownings, bee stings, and lightning strikes that cause fatalities every year.
Understanding Shark Behavior
Researchers from the California Academy of Sciences have studied white shark behavior to predict their risk to humans and published their findings on their website. Increased knowledge about them reduces the risk of attacks on humans and demonstrates the important roles of sharks in marine systems.
Here is a summary of some of their findings:
- White sharks pose the greatest risk to humans.
- White sharks are abundant in California, particularly in the Channel Islands off southern California and north of Point Conception.
- Adult white sharks eat sea lions and seals but mistakenly attack humans, especially when they are on surfboards. Sharks stalk their prey from behind and beneath them before attacking.
- Shark attacks on humans typically happen in 10-30 feet deep waters, placing swimmers, surfers, kayakers, and scuba divers at the most significant risk.
- White shark attacks are not random and usually happen on Farallon Island, Año Nuevo Island (San Mateo County), and Tomales Point and Bird Rock (Marin County). Therefore, it is best to avoid these places.
- Shark attacks happen between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm and are more frequent during August and September.
- Having a "buddy system" has saved many lives before a shark attack.
- Sharks are protected in California and the rest of the world for their important role as apex predators in the oceans.
RELATED ARTICLE: 10-Foot Bronze Whaler Shark Attacks a Boat and Chomps on Its Propeller in a Terrifying Encounter in Coral Bay Australia
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