As millions of Americans head to the beach for the Fourth of July weekend, shark experts say there's little reason to stay out of the water.Marine biologist Mike Heithaus, Ph.D., of Florida International University told Fox News Digital that shark bites remain extremely uncommon, even during the busy summer beach season."Shark attacks are still extremely rare," Heithaus said.JULY 4 TRAVEL EXPECTED TO HIT RECORD HIGHS DESPITE HIGH COSTS"People should always be aware of local conditions and listen to lifeguards, but shark bites are very rare," he emphasized.He recommended avoiding murky water, staying away from areas where large schools of fish are visible and avoiding places where people are actively fishing.As beach attendance surges over the Fourth of July weekend, shark experts reassure Americans that there's little reason to fear entering the water, though they do stress following certain safety practices. (iStock)People should also stay alert to local water conditions, including rip currents and the presence of other marine animals such as jellyfish.Certain stretches of the East Coast, however, are more likely than others to see shark activity.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERNew Smyrna Beach in Florida, as well as North Carolina's Outer Banks, Cape Cod and parts of Rhode Island, Connecticut and Maine are among the East Coast regions where people are more likely to encounter sharks.That's due to seasonal migration patterns, warming waters and abundant prey, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report.More great white sharks have been spending time near Cape Cod as seal populations have rebounded, while warming ocean temperatures and recovering shark populations have contributed to increasing shark activity farther north along the East Coast, the publication noted. Shark experts recommend following lifeguards' instructions and staying aware of local conditions.
(Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)Florida remains one of the country's best-known s...