What's up with the Sharky Summer?

My family is headed to the Outer Banks later this summer for our annual summer vacation with the extended fam. I, along with the kids, love to splash in the ocean, float, swim around, just enjoy the salty sea. I never usually worry about sharks. I know they are there, the ocean is their habitat. I don't typically worry about them being close to shore, until this summer! It's an exceptionally sharky summer at North Carolina beaches. Just this last weekend, an 18-year-old and a 47-year-old man were attacked off Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks, making six attacks in the last three weeks – definitely more than the average per summer. But rather than live in fear or the unknown, it's my nature to try and figure out why this is happening.

According to this article by National Geographic, where sharks swim is "heavily dependent on weather and currents." I've noticed it seems more attacks are happening in the warmer waters at the beaches further south on the N.C. coast. As it turns out, sharks are more likely to be in waters at 80 degrees or above "when strong currents flow north along the coast, bringing bait fish." This year, those conditions appeared in April, and sharks soon followed, coming from Florida and the Gulf of Mexico." So there is some pattern here as to where they are.

Another factor that is playing into more attacks is simply more vacationers along the N.C. coast, which equals more bodies swimming in the ocean. Stats rise as the population of swimmers rise. Fact is, sharks have been swimming around us in the ocean for years, but with the increase or people and change in currents from the South, it makes for less shared space in those salty waters.

Thirdly, and something I've always believed and think is just logical, sharks swim toward bait. So there are likely more sharks near a pier where fishermen may be tossing bait. So don't swim near a pier, and don't swim near folks who are fishing from the shore. it's really not Jaws out there looking to attack, it's just an ancient animal looking for something to eat. When that food is dangling from a hook, it makes for an easy snack, but if a person is in the way, they might be mistaken as a good snack.

With all that in mind, how do you avoid a shark attack? Aside from steering clear from areas where people are fishing and chumming water, avoid swimming late in evening, at night and after a storm when waters are churning or sharks are out for a feeding frenzie. Don't swim with open wounds or wearing shiny objects. And wear suits with muted colors. Turns out sharks have terrible eyesight, but contrasting colors may catch their eyes.

A friend who live at Hatteras Island tells me beginning July 1, the season opens for commercial fisherman to fish for sharks. We'll see if that slows the pace of sharks closer to shore.

In the meanwhile, just keep an eye on the horizon if your children are splashing in the surf. Drowning is still much more of a concern.

And if you're looking for something to do other than vacation at the beach, check out our bucket list of family travel ideas in N.C.