Recent shark attacks in Florida have sparked unfounded speculation on social media linking them to the presence of orcas in the Gulf of Mexico. However, marine biologist Omar Higuera-Rivas says this theory is baseless.
Florida has witnessed three recent shark attacks off the coast of Walton County, with a bull shark likely responsible for all three. Despite sightings of orcas in the area, experts maintain that the attacks are not connected to the presence of killer whales.
Higuera-Rivas, who studies orca behavior, explains that orcas target sharks far offshore and that their presence in the Gulf of Mexico is not a new phenomenon. He attributes increased sightings to the rise in eco-tourism.
George Naylor, Director of the Florida Program for Shark Research, agrees that orcas are unlikely to drive sharks closer to shore. He suggests that the bait fish movement, influenced by recent dry weather, is a more plausible explanation for the attacks.
Experts emphasize that bull sharks, known for their ability to hide in freshwater ecosystems, would not be forced to accumulate near the shore due to orca activity. They attribute the attacks to the presence of bait fish, which draws sharks into shallow waters.
