Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

People have been advised to stay out of the water off the False Bay coast after several sharks were spotted this week.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and Working On Sharks Group are urgently appealing to bathers and paddlers on the False Bay coastline to exercise extreme caution out in the water due to increased shark activity, NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said.
[read more]
photo: noserider
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008

Swimmers were told to get out of the water at Henley Beach, AU after a large shark was sighted close to shore.
Police are monitoring the shark, which was seen about 150 feet offshore at 11.30am.
The sighting is the latest of several in recent weeks, with other sharks seen close to shore at Moana, O’Sullivan Beach and Christies Beach.
[source]
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008

Scientists are saying poisonous lionfish will soon be invading South Florida’s waters.
The lionfish, a native of the Pacific Ocean, might be a looker but don’t let that fool you… they’re coverered in poisonous fins. The sting pretty much burns like fire and lasts for about 15 to 20 minutes. It can land you in the hospital or even kill you. There is no anti-venom.
Apparently, as lionfish grow too big, aquarium owners dump the fish right into the Atlantic and now they’re breeding like crazy.
Consider yourselves warned…
[source]
Thursday, November 8th, 2007

Due to murky water caused by Hawaii’s recent rainy season, the government has issues shark warnings across the state.
Over the past few days, Hawaii has experienced over a foot of rain across its island chain, causing extreme flooding as well as runoff into the ocean washing a lot of debris into the ocean. The runoff also includes dead animals and other shark attractants which, when paired with the increased murkiness of the water, has heightened the risk of shark attacks.
The months of October, November and December have also been known to experience a higher amount of shark attacks, statistically.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources has issued a series of safety recommendations to the Hawaiian public should they still wish to enter the ocean during this high-risk shark period:
1. Do not enter the water during dawn, dusk and night when sharks move closer to the island shore to eat.
2. Do not enter murky water, swim near sharp reef dropoffs, or enter the water in harbors or near stream mouths (fertile water areas that attract fish and, therefore, sharks).
3. Do not enter the water if you have any cuts on your body, no matter how small these cuts are.
4. Do not wear bright clothes or jewelry, which attracts sharks.
5. If sharks are sighted, do not go in the water and warn others not to enter the water, too.
6. Do not splash around, and do not let your pets swim in the water (e.g. dogs).
7. Observe your surroundings. If other ocean species, such as turtles or small fish, start to behave strangely, leave the water immediately and calmly.
[source]