Kyle Schmidt
•6/17/2026
A woman in Naples was bitten by a baby shark near Third Avenue South after accidentally stepping on it, nearly losing her toe in the process. She shared images of the aftermath with Gulf Coast News and explained that she did not realize some sharks lie in the sand like stingrays. She urged others to shuffle their feet while walking in the water to prevent similar encounters. Nick Holloway, a visitor, said, “It’s a little disturbing, but I mean it’s not something you really think of.” At Naples Beach, residents shared their thoughts on the incident. Nelia Semenenko, who has lived in Naples for four years, said, “Never, never, I live here now 4 years. People never saw sharks.” Scientists warn that shark sightings may increase due to the strong El Niño this year, which is expected to warm the waters. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission advises swimmers to stay in groups, avoid wearing shiny jewelry that could attract sharks, and refrain from entering murky water. Ricardo Botelho, who was fishing in the area, said, “When the water is like that, it’s a little dangerous.” Botelho added, “Just being more cautious, especially when the water is not that clear.”DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
