Expert explains shark sightings on the Coast

Summer is a time to be outside and enjoy time on the water along the Gulf Coast, but it’s a time to be careful and stay aware of your surroundings.

Sharks play a very important role in our Coastal ecosystems by keeping the waters clean, making sure the species are in balance, and ensure we have a healthy dynamic.

During the summer, sharks are typically in our near shore waters because there’s a lot of reproductivity, and then they move off shore in the winter.

USM Director of the Center for Fisheries, Research, and Development Jill Hendon shares a few tips to ensure you stay safe in the waters this summer. “To have a good beach experience this summer and try to minimize any encounters with sharks, you just need to be aware of your surroundings. First of all, don’t go swim where you see people fishing, either wade fishing or pier fishing, don’t fish with bait in your pockets, and don’t throw your food scraps in the water. Those are the things that are going to ensure that you have a safe time out on the beach with your family.”

If you’re interested in learning more about sharks, you can go see CFRD at the Mississippi Aquarium this weekend to celebrate the Shark Week weekend.