ANNA MARIA ISLAND — Over the last few weeks people have been seeing Hammerhead sharks swimming around the Bay Area, and experts say it's good news.
- Hammerhead shark seen swimming off Anna Maria Island
- Family shot video of shark swimming near boat
- Experts say shark bites are rare
Eric Hovland at the Florida Aquarium said the sharks are just trying to find food.
"They do cover a lot of territory when they're moving through to follow the food so those larger fish are going to follow the smaller fish, the schooling fish. And the sharks are going to follow the schools of the larger fish and the rays that they feed upon," Hovland said.
One family shot video of a large Hammerhead swimming right next to their boat off Anna Maria Island last week.
Hovland has tips for beachgoers this summer:
- Don't ever swim at night. He said swim when it's light out in clear water, not murky.
- If you see schools of big fish, it's best to move out of the way.
- Most importantly, don't swim where people are fishing, because the sharks could mistake you for food.
However, experts say shark bites are rare, especially in our area.