Shark bite reported at local Beach

Shark bite reported at local Beach

A Birmingham, Alabama woman was apparently bitten by a shark while wading in waist deep ocean waters off Fernandina Beach.

Jennifer Castion was in the water near beach access No. 39 at Ozello Avenue near the golf club around 11:00 a.m when she received severe lacerations to both sides of her lower right calf. She was initially treated by ocean bathers in the area, until a Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue Life Guard responded and performed emergency treatment. Paramedics transferred her to Life Flight helicopter where she was flown via air ambulance to Shands Hospital Jacksonville, according to Acting Fire Chief Jeffrey Bunch.

All precautions have been taken to alert beach goers of the potential dangers in the water. The State of Florida Flag Warning System is in place and "Dangerous Conditions" and "Dangerous Marine Life" flags have been placed at all guarded areas. Location supervisors are now patrolling the beaches to alert other beach goers of the potential danger and to advise them to use caution.

The Fernandina Beach Police Department immediately took to the air and conducted air surveillance the entire length of Amelia Island. Police Captain David Bishop reported seeing no evidence of sharks, although the ocean water was relatively clear.

The local Civil Air Patrol has been asked to keep an eye on the shoreline and to report any sightings throughout the weekend. The State of Florida’s Office of Emergency Management, which monitors events and trends involving shark bites, has been notified. Life Guards will also monitor the ocean waters throughout the weekend and will report any changes in conditions.

This is only the third shark bite reported in Fernandina Beach more than 100 years.