Blacktip Sharks Are on their Way to Florida

Latest news claimed thousands of Blacktip sharks are on their way to Florida’s waters. According to scientists, they captured on camera amazing images of thousands Blacktip sharks. Dr. Stephen Kajiura, professor of biological sciences from Florida Atlantic University, claimed he captured images of migrating sharks off the southeast coast of Florida.

During this period, these sharks are generally known to swim further south in Florida. At the moment, Kajiura claimed the aquatic animals are only several hundred feet away from the shore. The scientist is mainly interested in the biological science of fish’s senses.

He has been studying the Blacktip sharks since 2011. In this time, he has been counting the species after its migration to Florida for the winter season. The researcher claims the number of recently found sharks is not very unusual in this period. Also, he added it became part of the sharks’ winter sojourn.

During the summer season, Blacktip sharks remain in the Carolinas and Georgia. It was found that in summer period sharks mate and give birth to offspring. When the species swims to Florida, they spread around the Miami’s stretch and Jupiter Inlet. They occupy a distance of almost 80 miles.

According to Kajiura, over 10, 000 Blacktip sharks that were captured on cameras are only those visible from the shore. He claimed there might be more underwater. However, it cannot be yet estimated how many sharks are, in fact, swimming underwater. Kajiura and his team used high-defition still cameras to capture images of these species. The cameras were placed in a plane window, allowing experts to get a better view.

The plane flew across the beach and photographed the Blacktip sharks. He explained that ‘We simply don’t know how big this school is, how far it extends off into deeper water’. Kajiura added the large number of recently discovered sharks doesn’t pose any risk. However, he suggested swimmers should avoid sparkly and reflective costumes while swimming.

Blacktip sharks are known to eat small and shiny fish. Therefore, swimmers’ accessories might be mistaken for sharks’ prey. Except for this, Kajiura claimed no further advice is necessary. Because these species doesn’t manifest much curiosity, they might ignore human presence. Also, people don’t need to swim if they want to see the sharks.

They can easily watch them from the shore. The fact that Blacktip sharks are on their way to Florida might scare local people. Nonetheless, experts explained human flesh is not part of these species’ diet, therefore they don’t pose great risk.

Photo Credits: Wikimedia