The Dorsal Fin

WPTV.com is reporting that the increased number of swimmers and surfers at Florida beaches over the Memorial Day holiday weekend statistically increases that chances of a shark attack. The report notes that sharks are migrating north along the Florida peninsula as water temperatures warm along the east coast.

The report also features the typical advice to help reduce the risk of shark attacks, including avoiding swimming at sunrise and sunset, staying in large groups, avoiding splashing, and leaving the water in a non-panicked manner if a shark is spotted.

The famous Guadalupe white shark photo also makes an appearance in the WPTV report.

West Palm Beach’s News Channel 5 is reporting that a spear-fisherman was on the calf by a shark off of Riviera Beach. Anthony Segrich had speared a fish and was in the process of bringing it to the surface when the shark bit him. According to his friends, they believe the shark bit Segrich while trying to grab the speared fish. Sengrich friends helped get him out of the water and applied a tourniquet to his leg before he was taken via ambulance to a nearby hospital.

At the time of the News Channel 5 report, Segrich was listed and stable condition. Doctors expect him to retain full-use of his leg after he recovers.

The Miami Herald is reporting that the shark involved was a 12′ bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas).

According to CNN, Florida woman vacationing in the Keys was struck by a spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) after it leaped out of the water. The eagle ray weighed and estimated 300 lbs. and struck the woman in the chest and landed on top of her. Jenny Hausch was aboard a charter boat with her children and husband. Hausch was taking photos of the spotted eagle ray when it jumped out of the water and landed on her. Fortunately, Hausch and her family were relatively unscathed from the bizarre encounter.

Two Florida Fish and Wildlife officers were nearby when the incident occurred and came over to assist the woman. The officers also managed to wrangle the spotted eagle ray and returned it to the water unharmed.

According to a press release at Trade Only Today, all 13 locations of Loggerhead Club & Marina have registered with the Shark-Free Marinas Initiative.

SFMI is a voluntary program that works with fishermen and businesses to establish protocols to protect threatened shark species. By registering with SFMI, a marina pledges that sharks may not be landed for any purpose, and the display and/or slaughter of caught sharks at registered marinas is strictly prohibited.

Loggerhead Club & Marina is Florida’s largest owner of public marinas. Ray Graziotto, president and COO, hopes to set an example for others in the industry “to promote a practical solution to shark overfishing and reduce shark mortality,” according to the press release.

Kudos to Loggerhead Club & Marina for doing their part to help protect threatened shark species!

According to CBS, surfer Kris Kerr snapped a photograph of a shark just before it “charged” him (CBS actually uses the word “attacked” him in the text description of the video. According to Kerr, he quickly shot the image and then punched the shark in the nose. Kerr was photographing his friend Ethan Wilson surfing when he spotted the shark swimming toward him, according to The Sky Valley Chronicle.