July 14 is Shark Awareness Day! Are there sharks in the St. Johns River? Sometimes! Bull sharks are typically found offshore of Jacksonville, but have been known to wander into the river at times.
Learn more about the science behind these saltwater-dwellers creeping into the river in these articles by one of St. Johns Riverkeeper’s founding members, Dr. Quint White.
Read River Life: Do sharks prowl the St. Johns? (2020)
“Are there sharks in the St. Johns River? This is a frequently asked question, especially by middle school-aged students or people interested in sharks in general. And the short answer is yes, but as usual, it is more complicated than a simple yes or no.”
Read River Life: Where Sharks Roam (2023)
“Sharks are the top-level predators in the ocean and as sharks go, so does the entire ecosystem, including the St. Johns River.”