DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. – A 14-year-old boy visiting Florida from Missouri was bitten by a shark Wednesday morning off Daytona Beach Shores, according to Volusia County Beach Safety.
The bite happened shortly before 12 p.m. as the boy was standing in knee-deep water in the area of the 3300 block of State Road A1A (S. Atlantic Avenue), officials said in a news release.
The boy suffered non-life-threatening injuries to his left foot and was taken to a hospital for treatment, the release states.
It’s the fourth shark bite recorded just this month in Volusia County.
A shark bit a 14-year-old boy from Flagler County near Ponce Inlet on Monday, a 26-year-old Sarasota man was bitten by a shark off New Smyrna Beach on Friday and a 21-year-old Ohio man was bitten by a shark the day prior, also along New Smyrna Beach, according to Volusia County Beach Safety.
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The Ohio man, since identified as Connor Baker, recounted the shark attack that he said left four tendons torn in his foot.
“All of a sudden it felt like my foot was getting stabbed on both sides, my first instinct was to yank my foot out, I was (kind of) in shock,” Baker said.
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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has shared the following tips to reduce your odds of being bitten by a shark:
- Always stay in groups because sharks are more likely to bite a solitary individual.
- Do not wander too far from shore; this isolates an individual and places them far away from assistance.
- Avoid being in the water during darkness.
- Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating; a shark’s ability to smell blood is acute.
- Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged. When light reflects off shiny jewelry, it resembles the sheen of fish scales.
- Avoid waters with known discharges or sewage and waters used for any type of fishing, especially if there are signs of baitfish or feeding activity.
- Use extra caution when waters are murky.
- Remember that sharks see contrast particularly well. Uneven tans and bright-colored clothing may draw a shark’s attention.
- Refrain from excess splashing, as this may draw a shark’s attention.
- Do not allow pets in the water, their erratic movements may draw a shark’s attention.
- Swim only in areas tended by lifeguards.
- Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present and get out of the water if sharks are sighted.
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