Two miles of La Jolla Beach, California were closed August 31, 2011 due to a shark sighting. Lifeguard policy is to close the area for at least 24 hours after a shark is sighted. Mission Beach, California was closed for two days one week prior to the La Jolla sighting after beach goers saw two sharks in the area. It was not determined if the shark at La Jolla was one of the sharks seen at Mission Beach. Shark sightings are more common at La Jolla than at Mission Beach, possibly because the sharks are interested in the area's seal population.

There has been a lot of speculation about why shark sightings, and inevitably shark attacks, are on the rise globally. Overfishing is one possible cause. As food sources in the oceans are depleted, sharks could be turning to man for an alternative food source. While this certainly is a possibility, the undeniable fact is that growing numbers of people playing in the ocean creates a higher likelihood for shark attacks simply through the law of large numbers. In the severe economic slump of 2009, fewer people were able to afford a trip to the beach, and as a result, shark attacks in Florida were more infrequent, even as shark attack incidents around the globe were on the rise. In 2010 as the economy made a partial recovery and people once again spent the money for a beach vacation, shark attacks rose 25%.

Experts tell us that sharks do not mean to attack people, they prefer to eat fish. This is small consolation, however, to the victims. South Africa leads the rest of the world in shark attacks. An abundance of local wildlife to attract the sharks, mild water temperatures and a lack of adequate safeguards in the country could be partially to blame. In Southern California, about six sharks were sighted in early August this year.

Experts offer this advice to avoid shark attacks:

• Never to go into the ocean alone.
• Avoid swimming in the dark or at twilight.
• Remove all jewelry before going into the ocean.
• Avoid the ocean if you have an open wound.
• Stay close to the shore.
• Avoid excessive splashing and making erratic movements.
• Never take dogs in the water with you.
• Avoid areas where seals, sea lions and other marine mammals are hanging around.
• Avoid areas where people are fishing.
• Menstruating women should avoid the ocean entirely.

The presence of a shark rarely leads to an unprovoked attack on humans, but it is always better to err on the side of safety. In 51 percent of all shark attacks, the victim is surfing. Experts say that the human body looks more like a fish in the horizontal position, possibly causing the shark to get confused.

Though it is always safer to keep people out of the water when sharks are around, it is also important to remember the relatively few attacks that actually occur. Don’t let unfounded paranoia ruin your appreciation of the ocean’s gifts!