Shark Attacks and Shark Attack Related Incidents News Articles on Shark Bites

Sharks bite 3 surfers over weekend at NSB

By KARI COBHAM
Staff Writer

An Orlando surfer became the weekend's third shark bite victim off New Smyrna Beach -- and this year's fifth at the surfing hotspot, authorities said.

Nolan Provido, 31, was sitting on his surfboard roughly 100 yards from shore about 9:30 a.m. Sunday when a shark bit him on the left leg and foot, requiring stitches at Bert Fish Medical Center, according to a Beach Patrol report.

"The majority of our bites happen in that location," Beach Patrol spokesman Capt. Petersohn said.

Saturday morning's two shark bites occurred less than 10 minutes apart, not far from there and one surfer had to be hospitalized, Petersohn said.

The second victim on Saturday, Bryan Heath, 49, New Smyrna Beach, who was more seriously injured, was bitten on his right foot about 10:23 a.m. Heath had several deep cuts, which required surgery Saturday afternoon at Bert Fish, hospital spokesman Garry Mac said.

Less than 10 minutes before Heath's shark run-in, 55-year-old David Bryant, Sanford, was bitten on his right hand. Bryant suffered cuts to his fingers and the top of his hand. He was treated at Bert Fish and released, Mac said.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJ ... 051909.htm

A third surfer was bitten around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday at that same location, Petersohn. The weekend bites bring us up to five shark bites for the year.

Update on shark bites out of New Smyrna Beach
posted by Ludi Lelis on May 18, 2009 11:15:28 AM


This weekend saw three surfers bitten by sharks, at the main spot where this happens: the surf zone just south of the inlet in New Smyrna Beach.

Two surfers were bitten 9 a.m. Saturday morning, within 10 minutes of each other, said Volusia County Beach Patrol Capt. Scott Petersohn.

A third surfer was bitten around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday at that same location, Petersohn.

The surf zone by the jetty has earned the dubious title of "shark bite capital of the world." According to the International Shark Attack File, the scientific endeavor based out of University of Florida that tracks the phenomenon, more shark incidents happen at that area more than any other place in the world. (The record is more than 20 shark bites in a year.)

However, they're called "bites" because the injuries are usually minor. Smaller sharks, blacktips and spinners primarily, feed off the abundant schools of fish that swim in and out of the inlet. A shark will occassionally bite a surfer's foot or hand during their feeding time.

The weekend bites bring us up to five shark bites for the year.

Probably not too much biting today, with a steady downpour by the beach.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/florid ... beach.html