Shark Week Expert Debunks Myths, Shares Beach Safety Tips for Summer

As summer beach season heats up, wildlife biologist and Shark Week host Forrest Galante is urging vacationers to respect the ocean’s apex predators while dismissing the hype around shark attacks. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Jaws, a film that, as Galante told WTFNewsRoom, “unfairly turned sharks into monsters.” He notes that even Steven Spielberg regrets the panic it sparked.

Recent tracking of a massive great white shark, dubbed Contender, off North Carolina’s Cape Hatteras has raised eyebrows. At nearly 14 feet and 1,653 pounds, this 32-year-old giant is no stranger to these waters, yet satellite tags now reveal its movements, stirring unnecessary alarm. “That shark’s been swimming that route for decades,” Galante said. “We’re just now catching up.”

Sharks don’t hunt humans, Galante emphasizes. “When you step into the ocean, you’re in their world, not the other way around.” Attacks, he explains, are rare and often a case of mistaken identity in marine-rich environments like estuaries or river mouths teeming with fish, seals, or birds.

To stay safe, Galante offers practical advice: avoid swimming at dawn or dusk when sharks are most active, steer clear of areas with heavy marine life, and ditch shiny jewelry that mimics bait fish. Even the crunch of a beer can, he warns, can sound like fish bones to a shark. “Little things add up,” he says.

Galante’s bottom line? A few minutes of research before hitting the beach can slash risks. “Spend as much time reading about your destination as you do scrolling social media,” he quips, “and you’ll worry less about sharks and more about sunburn.”