Committee that monitors sharks issues warning to bathers in Pernambuco

The beginning of summer, combined with the Christmas and New Year holidays, promises to attract a large number of bathers to the beaches of the Metropolitan Region of Recife (RMR).

Amid the increase in movement, the State Shark Incident Monitoring Committee (CEMIT) reinforces the alert on the necessary precautions to ensure safe sea bathing during the festive period. Since 1992, RMR has recorded 67 shark attacks resulting in 26 deaths.

Monitoring the tides and paying attention to sea conditions are essential to avoid incidents and risks to the health of visitors. Until December 25th, the Moon is waning, a phenomenon that causes quadrature tides – or neap tides –, with amplitudes between 0.8 and 1.8 meters.

The general manager of Coastal and Oceanic Areas at the Secretariat of Environment, Sustainability and Fernando de Noronha (Semas-PE), Danise Alves, explains that, during the period, sea level variations are smaller, which prevents the formation of natural pools in many areas of the RMR.

“Natural pools, ideal for safe bathing, are found at drier tides, present during the New and Full Moons, and on beaches with shallow reef formations. Between the 23rd and 25th of December, the formation of these pools will occur in the early hours of the day, between 4am and 6am, filling again at times with intense movement of bathers on the beaches, between 10am and 12pm, which requires greater attention”, highlights.

The expert also points out that, during times of high tide, the risk increases. Therefore, it is essential that bathers concentrate in places with natural pools protected by reefs and avoid open areas, where the risk of incidents with sharks and other currents is greater .

Furthermore, attention should be paid to sea conditions, such as currents, especially to avoid drowning.

Check the tide times for the Christmas holiday below:

• 12/24 (Tuesday)

05h08 – 0.8m

11h08 – 1.7m

17h34 – 0.9m

23:34 – 1.7m

• 12/25 (Wednesday)

06h02 – 0.8m

12:04 – 1.8m

6:30pm – 0.8m

CEMIT also reinforces the importance of avoiding swimming in the sea under certain conditions:

• In areas with signs warning of the risk of shark incidents;
• In areas without reef protection, without the formation of natural pools;
• In the early morning or late afternoon, sharks are most active during twilight periods;
• If you have any type of wound or bleeding, as blood fluids can activate the animals’ sense of smell;
• During rainy periods, which increase the turbidity of the water, causing animals to not differentiate well between their natural prey and humans;
• In places close to river mouths, rivers discharge excess sediment and organic matter into the sea, which, in addition to making the water cloudy, tends to attract marine animals that can pose a risk of incidents. Furthermore, these regions can be used as nurseries for some species of sharks;
• During high tides, especially at full and new moons;
• If you have consumed alcohol;
• If you are alone;
• If you are using bright and flashy objects, which can sharpen the animals’ senses.

Areas of attention

CEMIT highlights a 33 km stretch, which runs from Praia do Farol, in Olinda, to the coconut groves of Praia do Paiva, in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, as an area of ​​attention for bathers. In this section, state Decree 21,402/1999 prohibits the practice of nautical activities. Furthermore, in a 2.2 km stretch of Praia de Piedade, between Igrejinha de Piedade and Hotel Barramares, the ban on bathing was established by municipal decree of Jaboatão dos Guararapes.

This content was originally published in Committee that monitors sharks issues warning to swimmers in Pernambuco on the CNN Brasil website.

Source: CNN Brasil