TheJournalNJ.com | OCTOBER 2021 55
Every summer, Sea Bright’s ocean and
river lifeguards witness beachgoers entering
the water to get a closer look at the
frequent phenomenon known as a “bait
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eling together often coming within a few
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sued by any number of apex predators including
sharks. Humans chasing bait balls
can lead to a trip to the emergency room.
All apex predators chasing prey or actively
feeding will instinctually attack anything it
believes to be food or competition for food.
If people stay out of the water when large
the probability of being bit drops to zero.
When lifeguards spot a bait ball moving
through a swimming area, they will clear
from the shore.
The prominent fact is that sharks are
some of nature’s best risk managers. Based
on studies, it is safe to say that sharks relate
human interaction as being a major personal risk, not as a potential food
source. Most human interactions or reports involving sharks are non-fatal
or don’t involve sharks at all. The vast majority of Monmouth County’s
shark sightings are, in fact, mistaken identity. They are often dolphins or
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tal shark incidents in New Jersey involves (probable) Sand Tigers. There is
also some strong evidence from the 1800s involving non-fatal Bull Shark
attacks in the Navesink Estuary. There are so few recorded shark incidents
for our region.
How can you avoid interaction with an aquatic apex predator?
1. For starters, swim only on lifeguarded beaches. In Sea Bright, the
town’s lifeguard division has developed shark incident protocols,
rescue techniques and risk mitigation procedures endorsed by the
NJSAF and endorsed by biologists from the Miami Shark Lab, Bimini
Shark Lab and professional white shark researchers from New York
City and Cape Cod.
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ly when they are leaping out of the water. Leaping indicates they are
being chased by predators.
3.
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utes to go back in. Lifeguards will clear the water until the threat has
moved away and will warn neighboring lifeguard services along the
potential direction of travel.
4. Do not bring plastic water bottles in the water. The sound of a plastic
bottle being squeezed is believed to mimic the sound of bones
crunching during feeding, basically a dinner bell for sharks. Squeezing
an empty water bottle is a proven technique used by shark week
divers to attract sharks.
5. Avoid swimming alone during the known times apex predators feed,
early in the morning and in the evening before sunset.
6. If you encounter a sick or injured shark in shallow water or onshore,
leave it alone and report its location.
7. If you have no immediate escape and you see a shark swimming toward
you, do the same: swim toward it aggressively. Almost 100 percent
of the time, even the biggest shark will turn tale if something
more than 100 pounds swims toward it. Remember as excellent risk
apex predators, including humans.
Beach towns are reluctant to even mention the word “shark” for fear
of scaring tourists. Perhaps it would be wise to celebrate our sharks with
well-planned events like shark festivals and Shark Week-related events
that can educate water lovers on how to share the ocean’s resources with
If you were to ask us “Should I be worried about sharks?” our answer
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tive encounters. With so many people enjoying the water coupled with increasing
shark numbers, future incidents could happen at any time. Swim
only at protected beaches and be aware of nature. Realize that you are a
guest in the shark’s home, so respect the animal and use common sense.
If you happen to see a shark in its natural environment, admire it from the
shore and consider yourself as extremely lucky as you have just seen one
of nature’s oldest and most effective apex predators that has no need or
natural instinct to interact with humans.
Mike Hudson is the chief lifeguard for Sea Bright Ocean Rescue.
In the winter he works as the lead paramedic and rescue
diver for Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. He has more than
18 years of experience working with the large sharks in open
water, and he is still alive and so far unscathed.
Robert Heyer has logged more than 25 years as the primary
coordinator and investigator for the New Jersey Shark Attack
File, which documents every known shark attack in the Garden
State. He has published two books, “The New Jersey Shark Attack
File” and “New York Shark Attack File.”
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