Recent increase in shark activity

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Last week an 8-year old boy was bitten by a shark at Tables Beach while boogie boarding near the Tides Collocated Club.

Over the weekend, a 10-year old girl suffered a shark bite in Cocoa Beach, and just south of the base at Paradise Beach, several sharks were seen swimming in shallow water.

So far this year, there have been five reported bites and numerous sightings, all within the last several months and all of which have happened up and down our coastline. I applaud our Security Forces Squadron and Fire Department for their quick response to last week's bite here. They were heroes to that little boy.

Many people may see this activity as an anomaly, but I see this as an opportunity to keep our Team aware and informed. Your safety on and off duty is my #1 concern. So please take extra precautions when venturing out for a day at the beach.

Pack a first aid kit along with your sunscreen; be vigilant both in and out of the water and know who to call for help. If you're on one of our beaches, you can call 321-494-2008 to be connected to the Security Forces Desk; otherwise, you can always dial 9-1-1 for assistance.

If you see a shark in local waters, report it to the SFS desk and consider posting details on our 45th Space Wing Facebook page. By being observant and sharing this information, you just may prevent the next incident!

This is also "Shark Week" on one of the cable television stations...coincidence?!

Stay focused (for) Sharks!