Beachgoers from across the globe, especially the Midwest, who have planned a vacation to the Sunshine State off the coast of Florida can enjoy spotting blacktip sharks. While there haven’t been any reported cases of blacktip shark attacks in Florida, local authorities have warned people to be careful.

Approximately 10,000 to 12,000 of the blacktip sharks, which don’t like swimming in cold waters, have migrated to this region in search of warm water. Florida Atlantic University professor Stephen M. Kajiura added that this is something that is an annual routine with the blacktip sharks. The animals have been caught on camera during migration.

Though people may have been scared of these sharks, scientists say these marine creatures are not that bad. In fact, they mostly have been observed staying clear of people. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources says the blacktip sharks, averaging at about six feet in length, are actually on the “near-threatened” list.

Professor Stephen M. Kajiura of Florida Atlantic University has been undertaking aerial surveys of the blacktip shark migration over the last five years. Kajiura, who finds the beasts fascinating and their presence in one place even more fascinating, is the most sought-after person for comments in the media whenever the southern migration of the sharks begins each year.

While the normal route of the sharks would take them farther south toward Miami, this year they appear to be liking the temperature of the region located near neighboring Fort Lauderdale.

“They are not curious types. You can literally sit on the beach and you can watch the blacktips jumping and spinning and splashing back into the water. They’re not out to get you, you’re not part of their diet, so you may as well go to the beach and enjoy the phenomenon. I would dig through scientific literature to see what we knew about it scientifically”, Kajiura says.