Staying shark safe on Texas beaches this summer

• Texas Parks and Wildlife identified the shark as a bull shark, ValleyCentral.com reported.

State of play: Shark encounters are rare on Texas coasts, but bull sharks are common.

• They have stocky bodies, a large triangular dorsal fin and rounded snout.

The big picture: If you see a fin in the water, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute chief science officer Danielle Haulsee, recommends remaining calm.

• Avoid splashing around, as that may lead to the shark confusing you for prey.
• TPWD says large schools of bait near the shore can indicate that a shark is nearby.