Forrest Galante Shares Shark Safety Tips for Beachgoers

As the annual "Shark Week" programming captivates audiences, wildlife biologist and conservationist Forrest Galante is sharing crucial safety advice for anyone heading to the ocean. Galante, a familiar face on television for his work with marine life, stressed that while the likelihood of a dangerous shark encounter is low, common sense and awareness can further minimize risks for beachgoers.

Galante recently appeared on OutKick Outdoors to discuss shark behavior and his upcoming Discovery special, "Alien Sharks: Untamed America." He highlighted that understanding local species and their habits is the first step in staying safe. "You know, the best thing you can do is educate yourself," Galante advised. "Think about where you're going. Learn what the species are."

Among his key recommendations are avoiding swimming during dawn and dusk, periods when sharks are most active and often feeding closer to shore. He also urges caution near river mouths, as these areas tend to attract baitfish, a primary food source for sharks, and thus draw sharks themselves.

Another vital tip from Galante is to never swim alone. This fundamental safety rule applies to many outdoor activities, and in the water, it can be particularly critical. He also pointed out that an empty beach might be a signal to choose a different swimming spot. "If you see no one on the beach, that's usually not a good place to go swimming," he noted.

Galante also cautioned against swimming in areas where people are actively fishing. The bait and chum being used can attract sharks, making these locations potentially hazardous for swimmers. "On the flip side of that, don't go swimming where people are fishing and throwing bait in the water and things like that," he stated.

Understanding Shark Behavior and Attractants

Beyond location and timing, Galante shed light on factors that might inadvertently attract a shark's attention. He explained that shiny objects, such as jewelry or sequined clothing, can mimic the flash of baitfish, potentially intriguing a curious shark. "Wearing something highly shiny, like jewelry or sequins or anything with those little mirrors that put out light, can look like a school of bait fish," Galante said.

He elaborated that many shark bites are a result of mistaken identity, where sharks investigate perceived prey with an exploratory bite. "They say that something like 99% of shark bites are a case of mistaken identity," Galante shared. "You see a flash from a sparkly bit of jewelry or something, and the shark goes, ‘Oh wow, is that food?’ Unfortunately, when a shark asks the question, ‘Is that food?’ they do so by taking an investigative bite." Because sharks lack hands, these investigative bites can cause significant harm.

Perhaps one of the more surprising pieces of advice involves common sounds. Galante warned that the noise of a crushing beer can or even a crackling water bottle can sound like the crunching of fish bones to a shark, prompting them to investigate the source. "The crackling of a water bottle, or even the crunching of a beer can, sounds a lot like the crunching of fish bones to a shark, and it can make them come and investigate," he explained.

Despite these potential attractants, Galante reiterated that sharks generally do not view humans as prey. "Most of the time, we're not even on the menu," he assured. "They're just trying to figure out if we are." He emphasized that adopting a few simple precautions can significantly reduce the already slim odds of a negative encounter, allowing people to enjoy the ocean with greater peace of mind.

Galante's commitment to educating the public about sharks is evident in his latest project, "Alien Sharks: Untamed America," which premieres on Discovery and Max this week. The special explores some of the most unusual and lesser-known shark species found in U.S. waters, from bioluminescent swell sharks to massive basking sharks, showcasing the incredible diversity of these marine animals.