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Fort Lauderdale, FL - A woman was treated and taken to the hospital Saturday morning after possibly being bitten by a marine creature while swimming off Fort Lauderdale Beach.
Rescue teams were dispatched shortly before 11 a.m. to the 700 block of North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard following reports of an injury in the water.
Fire rescue officials emphasized the wound was “not a shark bite but much smaller, possibly a barracuda,” and described her injuries as minor.
The victim was alert and conscious when helped from the water and later transported to Broward Health Medical Center.
This incident mirrors a similar case at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea on May 27th when a woman was allegedly bitten by a marine animal believed to be a barracuda.
Witness accounts described a “big chunk” missing from her forearm and said she was “bleeding profusely” before first responders arrived.
That swimmer was also stable and expected to recover after treatment.
Marine experts warn that barracuda encounters are extremely rare.
Retired NSU marine biologist Gerard Loisel said that such attacks are far less common than shark bites.
He noted these fish are attracted to shiny objects and may bite accidentally when visibility is poor.
Loisel also cautioned about ciguatera poisoning from eating barracuda, which he suggests is a greater threat than a bite.
Local authorities and experts stress that while beach swimming remains safe overall, swimmers should avoid wearing reflective gear, stay in lifeguarded zones, and heed any posted warnings about marine wildlife activity.