Shark Sighting Mayhem Caught On Video By Tourist At Florida Beach

PENSACOLA, FL — It was a scene that could have been filmed by director Steven Spielberg for his 1976 blockbuster movie, "Jaws."

Not only was it the Fourth of July holiday weekend, but the heat index in Pensacola had climbed to 105 degrees, making July 3 a perfect day to visit nearby Navarre Beach and take a dip in the Gulf waters.

Among the hundreds of beach goers at Navarre Beach were Cristy Mccallie Cox and her husband Nate Cox of Tennessee.

"I have wanted to visit Crab Island (one of the most popular attractions in Destin) for 15 years and finally got the opportunity," she said.

After getting their fill of Crab Island, the couple headed to Navarre Beach, nicknamed Florida's Most Relaxing Place.

Unfortunately, the visit was anything but relaxing for the couple.

Nate Cox was the victim of a painful jellyfish sting on the back of his leg.

And Cristy Cox had just stepped out of the water when she heard a commotion behind her.

Clearly visible amidst the hundreds of swimmers was the large, gray dorsal fin of a shark.

"I was checking my phone at the time, so the timing was perfect," Cristy Cox said. She immediately began videotaping the ensuing panic as the shark swam through the crowd of swimmers.

Video courtesy Cristy Mccallie Cox

"Get out of the water!" one person can be heard shouting on the video.

"Good God, people," another person shouted.

As quickly as the dorsal fin appeared, it disappeared beneath the Gulf waters.

"Where did it go? Where did it go? There's somebody still out there," shouted a beach goer as swimmers evacuated the waters.

"That sucker came close," exclaimed another person on the video.

Nearly as quickly as the shark's dorsal fin appeared and disappeared, Cristy Cox's video posted on her Facebook page spread across social media channels and was picked up by Fox News, CNN and CBS. It has since captured 18,000 views.

"I couldn't believe how many people saw my video so fast," said Cox. "'Good Morning, America' even called me after seeing my video to do a video interview for the next day. It turned out to be a pretty eventful day."

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the unidentified shark species most likely wandered near shore seeking small fish to eat. The FWC said sharks, for the most part, ignore people, and that was the case on this day.

However, a number of reported shark attacks in Florida waters this year has some people feeling nervous about venturing into the ocean.

According to the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File, shark attacks decreased to a 10-year low in 2022 with 57 unprovoked bites last year, five of which were fatal.

On average, there are 70 to 80 unprovoked shark attacks around the world each year, with Florida reporting the highest number of attacks.

However, with a record number of people moving to and vacationing in Florida, the chances of a close encounter with a shark rises.

According to Tracking Sharks, as of July 5, there have been 41 verified shark attack bites around the world in 2023, seven of which were fatal. This includes five attacks off Long Island, New York, over the Fourth of July weekend.

Of those, 23 attacks took place in the United States: Florida has had 11 attacks; Hawaii three attacks; New York five attacks and South Carolina one attack.

Related:

• Shark Bite Hospitalizes Teen Surfer At Jersey Shore, Officials Say
• 5th Shark Attack Confirmed On Long Island In 2 Days: Police
• FL Beach-Goers Have Greater Chance Of Dying In Crash Than Shark Bite
• FL Leads The World In Shark Bites For 2022: University Of Florida
• Shark Bites Man's Hand, Pulls Him Overboard In FL Everglades
• Shark Bites Foot Of Man Fishing Off Dock In Florida Keys: Sheriff
• FL Girl Punches Shark, Fends Off Attack At Fort Pierce Beach: Reports

Nevertheless, the chances of being bitten by a shark remain incredibly low. According to the World Health Organization, drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death worldwide, and coastal threats like rip tides and strong currents pose a greater risk to beach goers than sharks.

To be on the safe side, the International Shark Attack File recommends that swimmers:

• Swim with a buddy.
• Stay close to shore.
• Don't swim at dawn or dusk.
• Don't swim around schools of fish or where people are fishing.
• Avoid wearing jewelry or any shiny ornamentation that may be mistaken by sharks for silvery bait fish.
• Avoid excessive splashing in the water.

Shark Week 2023

The Discovery Channel hopes to dispel some of the fears and myths surrounding sharks during its annual homage to all things shark-related, Shark Week, which runs from July 23 to July 30.

Celebrating the 35th anniversary of Shark Week, Discovery Channel's popular television event will be hosted this year by actor Jason Momoa, who plays the DC Comics action hero Aquaman in the film series. The latest Aquaman film, "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," now playing in theaters, is dedicated to protecting and preserving the oceans.

Momoa, a vocal advocate of protecting and preserving the world's oceans, will guide fans through this annual celebration of sharks.

“As the host of Shark Week, I am beyond excited to take you along on this journey,” said Momoa in a statement issued by Warner Bros. Discovery. “This project means more to me than a week of talking about sharks. It’s a chance for me to learn and share my connection to these amazing creatures. My love of sharks came long before my time as Aquaman — it began several generations before me.”

The Discovery Channel also has a lineup of documentaries and miniseries it plans to air during Shark Week including "Sharks in Paradise," "Monster Mako Under the Rig," "Rise of the Monster Hammerheads" and "Great White Vs. Mako."

The Discovery Channel's schedule will also feature a series of podcasts including "How Shark Fishing Funds Human Trafficking," "How Did a Shark Encounter Survivor Become an Advocate for Their Protection?" and "Cristina Zenato on Why Sharks are the Safest Animal to Interact With on the Planet."

That doesn't mean TV viewers can't expect to be inundated with the usual array of fictional gory and gruesome shark movies on alternative channels, including the "Jaws" series, "Sharknado," "The Reef," "47 Meters Down" and "Open Water."