Recognizing Shark Awareness Day

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) -July 14 marks Shark Awareness Day, and Hard Rock Bet analyzed shark attacks worldwide to reveal that Florida ranks at number one.

The Hard Rock Bet analysis found that the state of Florida accounts for 46.2% of all recorded US shark attacks since 2015, meaning nearly half the shark bites in the entire U.S. since 2015 have been concentrated in this peninsula.

Florida’s seen 1,193 bites since 2015, and that’s compared to 2,583 shark attacks in the entire USA.

According to the study, New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County, Florida, stands out as America’s most frequently recorded shark encounter location.

Leaders say ways to stay aware, alive, and alert include avoiding swimming at dawn, dusk, or night, when some shark species may be more active, avoiding swimming with an open wound, and avoiding wearing shiny jewelry in the water.

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