How likely are shark attacks in Mississippi? An expert weighs in

Beach-goers are on high alert following the recent shark attacks in Florida and Texas.

Well, you’ll be happy to hear that the likelihood of shark attacks here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is basically 0 to none. Jill Hendon, director of the Center for Fisheries Research and Development, tells us what makes Mississippi beaches the safest on the Gulf Coast.

“We have these natural barrier islands that occur right off our coastline,” Hendon explained. “So, we have this beautiful Mississippi Sound habitat that ends up being a great nursery ground for sharks. We’re not getting those adult species; we’re getting a lot of those little ones there. That’s very different from what you see off the Florida coastline where they have that deeper water right up close to their coastline.”

While Hendon has come across the infamous bull and tiger shark past these barrier islands, it’s highly unlikely that someone at the beach will see an adult shark.

“On the coast of Mississippi, there have been only two shark attacks that have resulted in fatalities, and both happened over a hundred years ago. So, our region in general is not known for those kinds of interactions.”

Say you’re swimming and feel a bump… you look down and there’s Jaw’s himself…  what should you do?

“Most interactions are just going to be a bump,” Hendon said. “It figures out you’re not interesting, and then it moves away. If you see sharks in the area, you should simply just get out of the water and wait for them to pass. Be smart about being in the water. Don’t be fishing with bait in your pockets or swimming next to people who are wade fishing.”

Hendon says that during the breeding season, having hundreds of people in the water can stress out wildlife. so, respond appropriately.

“People shouldn’t be afraid about being in the water. They should just be smart about what they do and how they do it.”