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Re: 09/14/2008 Male ( Florida )

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 10:27 pm
by sharkbait
Latest Shark Bite Ties Volusia Record
Tourist Bitten On Foot Is No. 22 For Year

POSTED: 5:44 pm EDT September 15, 2008
UPDATED: 7:51 am EDT September 16, 2008

A Tennessee tourist became the 22nd shark bite victim in Volusia County, tying a record set in 2001.

The 32-year-old tourist was swimming off the 1000 block of Ocean Shore Boulevard in Ormond-by-the-Sea when he was bit once just before noon on Sunday. He was swimming in waist-deep water when a wave knocked him from his feet, a Volusia Beach Patrol spokesman said.

The man sustained cuts that needed stitches.

WESH 2 News reporter Claire Metz called local chambers of commerce on Monday to see if the numbers of shark bites are impacting business. They say not that they have noticed, although this is the slow season.

They think that big national stories like tropical storms and hurricanes, presidential race, even missing Caylee Anthony are making most of the headlines now.

Dr. George Burgess, director of the shark research program at the University of Florida in Gainesville, said he attributes the high number of bites to two things: More people in the water and stricter fishery management regulations that have increased the shark population.

http://www.wesh.com/news/17479674/detail.html

09/14/2008 Male ( Florida )

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 12:23 am
by sharkbait
Shark Attack at Ormond Beach, Volusia County Florida USA - Tennessee tourist attacked by shark on Florida Vacation**


Area's 22nd shark bite ties 2001 record

Staff Report

A 32-year-old tourist had the dubious honor Sunday of becoming the 22nd shark bite victim of the year in Volusia County - tying the previous record set in 2001.

Volusia County Beach Patrol spokesman Capt. Scott Petersohn said the Tennessee visitor was swimming off the 1000 block of Ocean Shore Boulevard in Ormond-by-the-Sea when he was bit once just before noon. The man, whose name was not immediately available, was swimming in waist-deep water when a wave knocked him from his feet. While his feet were off the bottom, the swimmer felt something grab his left heel, Petersohn said.

"He sustained two lacerations," Petersohn said of the injury, which was not threatening to life or limb, as is typical of most Volusia bites. "He's probably gonna get a couple sutures.'

Officials said that based on the pattern of bite-mark, the shark was most likely a 2- to 3-foot juvenile shark, probably lacking hunting experience. "With those dangling feet, murky water and baitfish present, those three things are the reason we have shark bites," Petersohn said.

The overwhelming majority of bites have been south of the New Smyrna Beach jetty. While there's some debate over why, Petersohn said it is believed that the sharks spawn near the inlet, and first venture into the world from there.

"In the big picture, sharks don't kill people," he said. "Rip currents do."

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJ ... 091408.htm