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Hawaii ocean users beware: There might be a higher chance of getting bitten by a shark in October.
In a news release Monday, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources reported that from 1980 through 2015 there were 122 unprovoked shark bites in Hawaii waters — 26 of those, or 21 percent, occurred during October.
“October is the month with the greatest number of shark bites,” said state Aquatics Resources Division Administrator Bruce Anderson. “We recommend ocean users exercise a little more caution this month especially, and also through the end of the year. The chance of being bitten by a shark in Hawaiian waters is always extremely small, but does increase a bit during this time frame.”
Three of the seven shark bites in 2015 happened in October, said Anderson.
“The three bites last October were all around Oahu, off different coasts of the island, and took place over a span of 20 days,” Anderson said. Two were very serious, with victims losing part of a limb. It was an unprecedented spike, but like nearly every spike in shark incidents, the most likely explanation is just chance.”
Another possible explanation, according to University of Hawaii research funded by DLNR, is that sharks give birth in the fall.
About 25 percent of the female tiger sharks in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands migrate to the main islands in the fall to give birth, DLNR reported.
The increased number of sharks in near-shore waters, combined with their need to feed to replenish lost energy stores, might increase the likelihood of an attack on a human.
“The best thing ocean users can do to minimize their risk of shark bites is to utilize beaches with lifeguards, stay near other people, and don’t go too far from shore. Also, avoid murky water and areas near stream mouths,” Anderson said.
More safety tips can be found at the division’s shark website, hawaiisharks.org.
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