New Shark Alert System Rolls Out on Gulf Coast

(KMDL-FM) Those who know say there are telltale signs that Louisiana beachgoers can pick up on if there is a shark present in the water around them. If you've been to the Gulf Coast, you've probably heard the chatter about "is it a shark or is it a dolphin," and how do you tell?

READ MORE: Louisiana Coastal Waters See Increase in Great White Shark Population

The problem with most beachgoers from Louisiana who visit the beaches of Alabama and Florida we're too busy having fun to be looking for clues that Jaws (whatever the next sequel would be) is about to unfold in the waves where they're standing.

Okay, we get it. The sharks live in the ocean; we should expect them to be there. If you ascribe to that way of thinking, then I will toss up this: a train can only cross a roadway in one place; you might as well look both ways. The point I am making is that for trains, we have warning systems in place. For sharks, we don't really, until now.

What Prompted the Need For a Government Shark Warning System?

In June of 2024, Lulu Gribbin was swimming with friends off the Florida coast. She was attacked by a bull shark and suffered a life-changing injury. Since that time, and as her recovery has progressed, Lulu and her foundation have been pressing coastal communities to do more about warning swimmers and bathers about the presence of sharks.

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Lulu's efforts have finally paid off for the rest of us with the signing of legislation that provides for the funding and implementation of the nation's first government-issued shark alert system.

That's the good news. The bad news is this system is only in place in L.A., not Los Angeles, I am talking about Lower Alabama. Mobile County and Baldwin County, Alabama, have quietly implemented the shark warning system already.

Now, don't get this new system confused with the "Beach Flag Warning System" that's already in place. In that system, a series of color-coded flags warns beachgoers of dangerous conditions along the shore. There is also a flag that is flown when dangerous or deadly sea creatures are close at hand.

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This new electronic system should be a heck of a lot more effective. The reason? It's connected to your cellphone, smartphone, or handheld device on which you make telephone calls.  The best part of all is you don't have to do a darn thing to be included in the notifications.

How Can I Receive Shark Alert Warnings While on the Gulf Coast Beaches?

The alert system works on the principles of geo-fencing. We asked AI to define geofencing for you. Here's what they say it is:

a location-based service that creates a virtual boundary around a physical location using GPS, RFID, Wi-Fi, or cellular data.

 

Yeah, it's the same technology that advertisers use to serve ads to your phone when you're in certain geographic areas. Ever wonder why, when you visit one casino, you suddenly start seeing advertisements on your phone for other casinos? That's geofencing.

When Will The Gulf Coast Shark Alert Warning System Go Live?

The Lulu Gribbins Shark Alert System went live this past Monday. The area served by the warning system is tightly geofenced along the coastal areas of Baldwin County, from Gulf Shores to Orange Beach to the Flora-Bama. And Mobile County from the Eastern Shore to the Mississippi state line.

The alerts will only be active in the coastal sections of those counties; in other words, you won't get a shark alert while you're bitching about the traffic at Buc-ee's up on I-10 in Robert, Alabama. This tight geofencing should help avoid confusion and keep the important information directed at the "only place you can get attacked by a shark", which is the beach.

Do Other Gulf Coast States Have Similar Shark Alert Systems?

So far, Alabama is the only state to have a government-issued shark alert system. Perhaps it will serve as a test case for other state's who are considering this as a public safety option.