Shark expert: We could see more sharks along US coast

Along the North Carolina coast this Fourth of July week, beachgoers say they are on edge after recent shark attacks.

There have been at least a half dozen attacks on the N.C. coast, as well as along the Virginia and South Carolina coasts.

Shark expert Paul Barrington at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher says there are several reasons for the attacks. The biggest reason, he says, is that more people than ever are going into the water.

“People are enjoying the space where sharks want to be,” Barrington said.

An increase in the bait fish and turtle populations has lured the sharks closer to shore. Those – and not people – are some of the sharks’ favorite foods.

“We are not on their menu,” said Barrington.

One other factor has been stricter regulations on fishing along the coastal regions of the Eastern U.S. That has resulted in a rebuilding of many fish species, creating greater numbers of all of them – including sharks.

Still, Barrington says, shark attacks are extremely rare.

“You are more apt to be struck by lightning than to be attacked by a shark,” he said.

Barrington advises beachgoers to be aware of their surroundings. He says not to swim near piers or fishing areas, in murky water, and not go into the ocean in the early morning or late afternoon and night.

This story was originally published July 1, 2015 at 7:34 AM with the headline "Shark expert: We could see more sharks along US coast."