Everybody out of the water! Tens of thousands of sharks are swimming dangerously close to the Florida coastline as they migrate, and it has officials worried.
Tens of Thousands of Sharks Spotted Uncomfortably Close to Beaches
By
Editorial Staff in
Nature
On 4th March 2016
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#1 "Everybody Out Of The Water"
Florida, with it's warm weather is a popular destination for tourists, and sharks seem to think so too. If the classic movie "Jaws" scared you, then this will really freak you out.
#2 Black Tip Sharks In Massive Migration Close To Swimmers
Tens of thousands of sharks were spotted swimming uncomfortably close to the Florida coast recently, and were recorded by the Florida Coast Guard. Researchers flying above the Sunshine State's Atlantic coast last week, they spotted a massive migration of black tip sharks swimming uncomfortably close to popular beaches near Palm Beach.
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#3 The Sharks Do Not Usually Swim As Far North As They Have Been Spotted
Normally the sharks are not this far north, and experts are blaming the migration on climate change. Normally the sharks make an appearance in January. The sharks are about six feet in length and weigh about 225 pounds each. The number of sharks in this migration has experts more concerned than the location, as they have never been known to travel in such large groups.
#4 The Number Of Sharks In This Migration Is Unheard Of
The scientists have tagged over 40 sharks in hopes of tracking their migration habits. Though the black tip has never been associated with a fatality in the Florida area, they are responsible for the most shark bites on southern Florida beaches.
One researcher said this number of sharks at once is unheard of, and added that "you can stand on the beach and throw a pebble and hit a shark."
The beaches around the area, which is now over 35 miles long, have all been closed temporarily until the sharks move along.
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#5 Baby Lemon Sharks Also Spotted Near Coastline
As if that wasn't frightening enough, beach-goers in New Smyrna Beach, FL, said they spotted almost 1,000 'baby' lemon sharks swimming right up to the shore. The sharks have been swarming near the shore, surprising swimmers and surfers for 2 weeks or more. This swarm is young, and not considered dangerous, as they swim away quickly when approached. However, even as babies, they are already over 3 feet in length.
Oceanographers claim that the two incidents are related to the warming of the water temperatures, and the sharks are moving closer to the North where water is still cooler.
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