are there deadly sharks around here

downhiller · Post by **downhiller** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:49 am

Hi I was wondering if there are deadly sharks at almeda or in the bay. I saw a discovery show about deadly sharks at stinson and it made me think whether I should buy kiteboard equipment or not because I did not want to kiteboard in deadly shark water.... Is stinson the only one with deadly sharks?
Thabksm

reyrivera · Post by **reyrivera** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:28 am

Never heard of any reported white sharks or attacks in the bay. This is probably because this is where freshwater and salt water converge.

There are smaller species of sharks like the smaller thresher sharks which you can find at your local grocery store, but no dangerous species like the bull and tiger sharks found in warmer waters.

If you go past the bay and into open water, that's a different story. We live in a great white shark feeding area called the red triangle from the Farallon Islands all the way to Ano Nuevo. According to marine biologists, the shark attacks that occur is a case of mistaken identity.

I have been surfing along the coast line from Ocean Beach in San Francisco to Manresa for a long time now, never been attacked yet. I had a few encounters where I saw shark fins break the surface in Ocean Beach, Waddell, and Manresa during the winter surfing season, but that's about it. The fins were not that big, but enough to give you the willies. If this happens to you, just remain calm and paddle back to the beach quietly. If you freak out and make a lot of noise on the water, this will definitely attract the shark, and might check you out.

If you are still worried about shark encounters, then you need to find out more about their behavior so you can avoid a disastrous confrontation with them.

This week is shark's week on Discovery Channel. Biologists have new information about shark behavior. You can also checkout the Shark Research Committee web site about ecounters along the Pacific Coast line. Here you can find most of the shark encounters in California:
http://www.sharkresearchcommittee.com/p ... k_news.htm

Remeber, we are the ones encroaching on their territory, and we kill more sharks than them attacking us.

Hope this helps.

Rey

doubledogdare · Post by **doubledogdare** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:07 pm

This link may help ease the phobia. These are stats for the last 80 years of shark attacks in California. Only 7 deaths and 92 attacks. This site also shows that a high percentange of attacks are in 10ft of water or less. So I would say, but have no actual stats, that you're probaly more likely to get into an airplane crash that get killed by a shark.

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/st ... /mapCA.htm

moblvet · Post by **moblvet** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:24 pm

Not too long ago, an estimated 17' Great White shark, between the GG bridge and Kirby Cove, took a hooked salmon from between two party boats, and slammed the fish against the hull of the one party boats to either kill the salmon, or as said by one of the party boat captains, took out his anger on the boat.

dewey · Post by **dewey** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:50 pm

I think I remember reading about a Great White attack in Alameda like 100 years ago. There is a newspaper clipping in a bar around there. If whales can come into the bay looking for food so can sharks. Have you seen all the sea lions in the bay? Though chances are VERY unlikely of getting attacked in the bay.

wjb · Post by **wjb** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:10 pm

I think the drive from my house to Sherman Island along hwy 12 is more dangerous.

windhorny · Post by **windhorny** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:23 pm

Batrays DO have a venemous stinger,they are just not prone to attack humans. Someone told me otherwise but google says they are indeed capable of stinging.

fearlu · Post by **fearlu** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:56 pm

If you're worried about shark attacks while kiting in the Bay you are focused on the wrong set of risk factors IMHO.

Waddell, Stinson, Dillon? KNOW they are there, in the water with you.

friggin old guy · Post by **friggin old guy** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:34 pm

Are there deadly sharks around here? Bet your ass (cause that's what you're doing). Mostly outside the Bay, but I wouldn't be at all sure they're not inside too.

Thing is, if they wanted to eat people, there'd be a lot more attacks. Usually they're coming in for the equivalent of a sharky lick, which results in plenty stitches. My brother was attacked by a 15 ftr while sitting on his surfboard up in Winchester Bay, Oregon, but while he ended up with a nice trophy (it bit completely through his board right between his legs), he ended up with nothing but a bit of trauma. Still surfing, including sketchy places like Tunnels. I'm still trying to decide if surfing with him is a good idea. Maybe sharks are like mosquitoes and have a preference for certain people. Hope I don't share that gene......been surfing for over 40 years and haven't seen but a few (knock wood).

They're out there for sure......and the only thing you can do about it is just stop fretting or else not go out. Worrying only makes you present as damaged goods, which they can sense one hell of a lot better than most critters.

Kite Adventures · Post by **Kite Adventures** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:40 pm

Gabe has some interesting stories about sharks and Dillon beach... Right?

BayAreaKiteboarding.com

are there deadly sharks around here

yup they're in the bay

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