Latest news with #FloridaFWC
CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
2 men charged in 2024 boating death of Miami Beach teen Ella Adler, FWC says
More than a year after a fatal boating accident in Biscayne Bay, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has filed misdemeanor charges against two men in connection with the death of a Miami Beach teen, according to the agency. Ella Adler, 15, was wakeboarding near the Nixon Beach Sandbar on May 11, 2024, when she fell into the water and was fatally struck by another vessel, FWC officials said. Operator of striking vessel charged Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 79, was charged on April 28, 2025, with careless operation of a vessel, the FWC said. He also faces two violations of U.S. Coast Guard navigational rules: Rule 2, which addresses the responsibility of the operator, and Rule 5, requiring a proper lookout. Alonso was operating the vessel that struck Adler, according to investigators. Wakeboard tow operator also charged The day after Alonso was charged, the FWC charged Edmund Richard Hartley, 31, the operator of the vessel towing Adler at the time of the incident. Hartley also faces a charge of careless operation of a vessel, along with four violations of Coast Guard navigational rules: Rule 2 (Responsibility), Rule 5 (Look-out), Rule 7 (Risk of Collision) and Rule 8 (Action to Avoid Collision), the FWC said.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What month are sharks most active in Florida? What to know about shark bite season
You're 30 times more likely to be struck by lightning than be bitten by a shark in Florida, according to the Florida FWC, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. There's actually no beach in Florida where it's impossible to come across a shark in the water. The Sunshine State is home to the 'Shark Bite Capital of the World," and to 13 different species of sharks who use Florida waters as nursery grounds for their "pups" (shark babies). Although shark attacks are rare, they still happen every year in Florida's oceans, particularly when the beaches are crowded in the summer. And it's officially "shark bite season" — the time of year when shark activity in Florida waters is at its peak. Last year, 30% of the recorded unprovoked shark bites in the world were in Florida. Here's what months sharks are most active in Florida oceans, where the most shark bites happen in the state and safety tips for reducing your chance of a shark bite while swimming in Florida. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) 'shark activity is at its peak in Florida waters during April through October, which coincidentally, is also the time period that humans are more likely to be in the water.' 'Sharks typically move inshore and north in the spring and summer, and offshore and south in fall and winter months.' Shark tooth hunting: See the best beaches in Florida for finding shark teeth in the sand The only scientifically-verified source of its kind in the world, the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) is a worldwide database of shark attacks, and is kept by the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, Florida. "The International Shark Attack File (ISAF) is the world's only scientifically documented, comprehensive database of all known shark attacks," the ISAF website says. "Initiated in 1958, there are now more than 6,800 individual investigations covering the period from the early 1500s to the present." According to the ISAF, the county with the most shark attacks in the state is Volusia County, which is the 'Shark Bite Capital of the World' and home to beaches like Daytona, New Smyrna and Ormond Beach. The FWC's guide to sharing the water with sharks says that there's no surefire way to avoid a shark bite, but you can reduce your chances of being bitten. Most recorded shark bites are actually unprovoked, according to ISAF. 'Every year, millions of tourists and residents visit Florida's beaches and waterways, and these beaches and waterways will more than likely contain sharks,' the FWC says. 'According to experts, while there are no guaranteed ways to avoid shark bites, understanding shark behavior could help you make better decisions on when and where to swim.' Of the 88 shark-human interactions that ISAF investigated in 2024, 47 were unprovoked and 24 were provoked. The other 17 cases included boat bites, a shark-inflicted post-mortem bite ('scavenge') and several others were unassigned or classified as 'unconfirmed.' ISAF defines unprovoked bites as incidents where a human who didn't interact with or provoke a shark was bitten. According to ISAF, provoked bites include 'instances when divers are bitten after harassing or trying to touch sharks, bites on spearfisherman, bites on people attempting to feed sharks, bites occurring while unhooking or removing a shark from a fishing net and so forth.' Here are some tips to reduce your chances of being bitten by a shark, from the FWC: Stay in groups, since sharks are more likely to bite a solitary individual. Don't wander too far from shore, which isolates you and places you far away from assistance. Avoid being in the water in the dark or during twilight hours, when sharks are most active. Don't get in the water if you're bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating. A shark's ability to smell blood is acute. Avoid wearing shiny jewelry in the water. When light reflects off of shiny jewelry – especially under the water – it resembles the sheen of fish scales and might make you look like shark food. Avoid waters with known discharges or sewage and waters used for any type of fishing – especially if there are signs of bait fish or feeding activity. Diving seabirds, which frequently feed on bait fish, are good indicators. While there are myths and anecdotes about dolphins saving humans from shark bites, the presence of dolphins doesn't mean there aren't sharks in the water – both often eat the same foods. Use extra caution when the water looks murky. Remember that sharks see contrast particularly well. Uneven tans and bright-colored clothing or swimsuits could draw a shark's attention. Try not to splash and thrash around in the water, as this may draw a shark's attention. Don't allow pets in the water: their erratic movements may draw a shark's attention. Be careful when swimming in the area between sandbars or near steep drop-offs-these are some of sharks' favorite places to hang out. Swim only on beaches with lifeguards on duty. Don't get in the water if sharks are known to be present, and get out of the water if sharks are sighted. Never harass a shark. How can you avoid a shark bite? What to know before swimming in Florida waters Volusia County's 47 miles of beach have seen 359 recorded unprovoked shark attacks from 1882 through present day, according to the ISAF. From 2012 to 2021, there were 94 shark bites recorded in Volusia County. In 2024, Volusia County represented 57% of the shark bites in Florida that year, up from 50% in 2023. Of the 14 shark bites that took place in Florida last year, eight were in Volusia. "Florida's 14 cases represent 50% of the U.S. total and 30% of unprovoked bites worldwide. This is lower than Florida's most recent five-year annual average of 19 incidents," ISAF says. Volusia's shark bite count of eight bites last year was also slightly lower than the average of nine each year. "Of the six remaining bites, two were in Walton County, and one each occurred in the Martin, Brevard, St. Johns and Indian River counties," ISAF says. None of the 14 shark bite cases in Florida last year were fatal. Here are the top 10 Florida counties with the most recorded shark bites and how many bites have occurred in each county since 1882, according to ISAF: Volusia County, 359 Brevard, 159 Palm Beach, 83 Duval, 46 St. Johns, 46 Martin, 42 St. Lucie, 39 Indian River, 23 Monroe, 21 Miami-Dade, 20 Here are the Florida counties with the least recorded shark bites and how many bites have occurred in each county since 1882, according to ISAF: Santa Rosa, 1 Charlotte, 1 Franklin, 2 Gulf, 2 Walton, 3 Okaloosa, 4 Manatee, 5 Flagler, 6 Escambia, 7 Sarasota, 7 According to the FWC, sharks are most active at night and the twilight hours (right before sunrise and right after sunset). This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Shark attacks in Florida: Safety tips to know before you swim
CBS News
06-05-2025
- CBS News
FWC captures bear that may have killed man, dog near Naples
FWC captures bear that may have fatally attacked man, dog near Naples FWC captures bear that may have fatally attacked man, dog near Naples FWC captures bear that may have fatally attacked man, dog near Naples A bear captured by Florida Fish and Wildlife officers may be the same one that killed a man and dog near Naples. The FWC said the bear was captured south of the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area along State Road 29. They are waiting for DNA test results to see if it was responsible for the attack. They pointed out that the man and dog were not killed at the same time and more than one bear may have been involved. "We do know it was a bear attack. We don't know if it was the same bear or multiple bears," George Reynaud, with Florida Fish and Wildlife, told the CBS affiliate in Fort Myers. Officials are urging residents and visitors to remain on alert. This marks the first ever deadly bear attack on a human in the state. The man who died has been identified as 89-year-old Robert Markel, a long-time resident of a small community in Collier County. Florida's black bear population on the rise Florida's black bear population, once classified as threatened, has rebounded in recent decades. The state has more than 4,000 black bears, according to the FWC. Bear sightings and interactions with people have become more common, particularly in rural areas of north and central Florida. The FWC has an interactive bear map to show bear related calls.
