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CNN Sunday Morning

Florida Beach Goers Balance Fun and Safety

Aired September 02, 2001 - 08:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Latest shark attacks probably mean fewer people venturing into the surf, especially in areas where sharks have been present.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Erick Watson of our Tampa affiliate, Bay News 9, has more on Florida beach goers trying to balance fun and safety.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERICK WATSON, BAY NEWS 9 CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The green flag on top of the lifeguard tower is giving many people the sense of security that these waters are safe to swim. That's despite a Wednesday afternoon shark attack on a woman just 25 feet from the shoreline.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah, you think about it a little, but the odds are so far against it, it's more dangerous doing everything else.

WATSON: Erin Dotty (ph) was out here when the attack occurred, and she is brave enough to reenter the water.

ERIN DOTTY, SHARK ATTACK WITNESS: I'm pretty cautious, but, you know, they're everywhere, and it was possibly an isolated incident, but we're still pretty cautious.

WATSON: It seems most people out here on this long weekend are pretty understanding of dangerous marine life.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's going to happen, I mean, it's the shark's water. They live there, it's their home too.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I mean, it's always going to happen. I mean, it's -- that's the ocean, you know, it's bound to happen.

WATSON (on camera): Now, just because many of these people have decided to enter the water, it doesn't necessarily mean they're venturing too far off the shoreline.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I went out to about waist-deep.

DOTTY: But we stay close in, close to the sand. You know, just bring the baby about two feet deep, and then when we go out we all go out together. WATSON (voice-over): And for those who do choose to go out a little further, lifeguards are keeping eyes on the water and on the people they are paid to protect.

On Anna Maria Island, Erick Watson, Bay News 9.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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