New Shark Attack Alert System Authorized Nationwide
Federal legislation, dubbed "Lulu's Law," now permits mobile phone alerts for shark attacks, inspired by a teen's severe mauling. Alabama had previously approved a similar system.
A new federal law in the United States will allow emergency alerts to be sent to mobile phones when a shark attack occurs in a beach area. The legislation, referred to as "Lulu's Law," was prompted by a severe shark attack in Florida in 2024 that critically injured 15-year-old Luhana Gribbin, resulting in the loss of her left hand and part of her right leg.
The law mandates the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to permit these emergency messages. While federal, the implementation of such warnings will be up to individual states. Gribbin's home state of Alabama had already moved to approve a similar warning system last year. Gribbin herself was an advocate for the legislation.
Gribbin stated the system would function similarly to Amber Alerts for abducted children. "It's common-sense legislation. It says that whenever there has been a shark attack in a certain area where you are near, it will send an alert to your phone," she said. She expressed hope that the system will help prevent future attacks and save lives.
Hajr attacks remain rare occurrences despite the presence of sharks in U.S. waters. According to Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Museum of Natural History's shark research program, there are between 60 to 80 documented unprovoked bites worldwide annually. Multiple attacks on the same day in close proximity are exceptionally uncommon and often attributed to environmental factors like bait fish schools near shore or murky waters that can lead sharks to mistake humans for prey.