Overview

• A viral Facebook post on June 22 led beachgoers to mistake dark spots in the ocean for a submarine before officials corrected the record.
• Marine experts confirmed the formations are bait balls, defense clusters of small fish that create dark, oily-looking patches at the surface.
• Warmer summer waters are drawing both bait balls and predators such as sharks and barracudas closer to shore, increasing beach risks.
• Myrtle Beach Surf Rescue now clears swimmers whenever bait balls are detected near the shoreline to prevent shark encounters.
• Although no shark attacks have occurred in connection with the fish schools, lifeguards maintain heightened vigilance during peak marine activity.