Florida's 'Shark Bite Capital of the World' Claims Two More Victims
Two surfers injured by shark bites.
— -- A city in Florida known as the "Shark Attack Capital of the World" is having no trouble holding on to its title.
Officials at Volusia County Beach confirmed two more shark bites Sunday, bringing up the year's shark bite count to 10.
"We do have a lot of bites in the area," Capt. Aaron Jenkins of Volusia County Beach Safety told ABC News. "It's because there are a lot of smaller sharks here."
The first bite occurred at 11 a.m., when a 15-year-old boy who was surfing 100 yards off the shore was bit on his right foot.
Despite the injury, the boy was able to paddle back in on his own.
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He didn't get a good look at the shark, but based on the size of the bite marks Jenkins said he estimates the shark was three to five feet long.
The second bite occurred soon after at 11:30 a.m. A 29-year-old man was bitten one mile south of the first incident, also while surfing.
The surfer was paddling through shark bait and yelling at friends to watch out for sharks in the area when he got bit, according to Jenkins.
The shark bit the man on his left foot, leaving deep lacerations, Jenkins said.
He was able to identify the shark as a black tip shark, a small shark that grows to about four feet long and is common to the area.
Jenkins said he doesn't believe the same shark is responsible for both attacks, but said they could be the same species.
It is likely the bites occurred because of an increase in bait fish in an area of the water that is popular with surfers, Jenkins said.
Jenkins believes a swell could have brought the bait fish, which are usually far out at sea, closer to shore.
At the same time, a cold front churned up seawater, making the water closer to shore murky.
The combination of increased bait fish and murky water could be why the sharks mistook surfers' feet for food, Jenkins said.
The two surfers were taken to a hospital with non-critical injuries.
Officials have decided to keep the beaches open.
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