Whereas shark assaults off the Maine coast are uncommon, a latest sighting of a fantastic white shark in Penobscot Bay could have you ever questioning find out how to keep away from a confrontation with these sea creatures.
The danger of a shark attacking if you are out swimming or boating may be very low, based on the Maine Division of Marine Assets, however there are methods to scale back the chance of attracting a shark’s consideration.
When swimming, browsing or paddling, it is very important all the time concentrate on your environment, officers warn. You must also keep near shore, avoiding murky water or areas the place it’s tough to see the place you’re swimming, and stick with a gaggle of individuals when out on the water. It isn’t advisable to swim in the dead of night, or at instances of the day when lighting is low, corresponding to at daybreak or nightfall, based on the DMR.
If you happen to discover seals or education fish within the water, it’s best to keep away from that space. Diving seabirds are additionally a great indication that there might be prey under the floor. Prey animals will entice sharks and different predators, so avoiding them is one of the best ways to keep away from an errant run-in with a shark. Additionally it is courteous and conscientious to present Maine’s wildlife a large berth wherever you see it to keep away from disrupting or agitating them.
Shiny jewellery, whether or not worn if you are within the water or on the water, can entice the eye of sharks and different marine animals, so it’s best to take it off earlier than going out. You shouldn’t go water when you’ve got open or actively bleeding wounds, and people who menstruate ought to keep alert to their environment and train warning.
Extreme splashing may also entice a shark’s consideration, so hold splashing at a minimal and restrict the time that your pets are within the water, as they’ll act unpredictably.
One of the simplest ways for beachgoers to remain secure is to observe lifeguard directions and respect seaside signage.
If you’re attacked by a shark, try to be proactive. Smashing its snout could stun it, and you need to try to go away the water as rapidly as potential. If the shark truly bites you, clawing at its eyes or gills may also help curtail the assault. You need to search medical help instantly within the occasion of a shark assault.
