When Is Shark Week 2016? Shark 'N Awe Begins in June

The mix of schlock and science binge-fest that is Shark Week hits the airwaves in less than a month, say the folks at the Discovery Channel.

The ode to over-the-top programs seemingly devoted to scaring everyone out of the water returns to the network June 26 and runs through July 3 with the motto “Shark ‘N Awe.”

Returning as the host of Shark After Dark is film director Eli Roth, who will host celebrity, fan, and shark expert guests in previews of Shark Week programs and reviews those that aired earlier that day. He will also host the countdown special Sharktactular, which will lead into the full week of shark-based shows.

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One of the highlights is expected to be Game of Thrones actress Lena Headey narrating the documentary Air Jaws: Night Stalker. The special features photographer Chris Fallows and shark expert Jeff Kurr as they examine the great white shark’s ability to hunt in total darkness.

For those brave enough to keep watching, Shark Week continues with a host of all-new features. Some of the titles in this year’s lineup include “Air Jaws: Night Stalker,” “Deadliest Shark,” “Isle of Jaws,” “Jaws of the Deep,” “Jungle Shark,” “Nuclear Sharks,” “Shallow Water Invasion,” “Shark Bait,” “Sharks Among Us,” “Sharks vs. Dolphins: Face Off,” “Sharksanity,” “Sharktacular,” “Sharktopia,” “The Killing Games,” “The Return of Monster Mako,” “Tiger Beach” and “Wrath of a Great White Serial Killer.”

For more details about Shark Week, visit Discovery Channel’s website.

Shark Attack Numbers

Last year, the number of confirmed, unprovoked shark attacks climbed to 98 worldwide in 2015, surpassing the previous record of 88 set in 2000.

Florida again led the nation and world in the number of confirmed attacks at 30, according to the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida. The good news, however, is that none of Florida’s attacks were fatal. The only state to witness a fatality related to a shark attack in 2015 was Hawaii, which recorded seven confirmed attacks.

News of the increasing number of attacks comes as no real surprise to George Burgess, the director of the International Shark Attack File, which is part of the Florida Museum of National History on the UF campus.

“Sharks plus humans equals attacks,” Burgess explained. “As our population continues to rapidly grow and shark populations slowly recover, we’re going to see more interactions.”

Shark Safety Tips
NOAA says that the risk of a shark attack is very small, and are most likely near shore if a shark is trapped by a low tide, or in a feeding area where sharks gather.

To reduce the risk of a shark attack:

• Don’t swim too far from shore
• Stay in groups – sharks are more likely to attack a solitary person
• Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight when sharks are most active
• Don’t go in the water if bleeding from a wound – sharks have an acute sense of smell
• Don’t wear shiny jewelry in the water – the reflected light resembles fish scales
• Avoid brightly-colored swimwear – sharks see contrast particularly well

»Patch file photo