A blacktip shark was filmed swimming close to the shoreline at Myrtle Beach State Park on Tuesday, June 5. The video was shot by Nicki Welch-Hudson, a marine science student who hoped her footage would help spread awareness of the species.

Welch-Hudson said the shark was swimming about 100 yards north of the pier at Myrtle Beach State Park when lifeguards began calling swimmers in.

“I’m hoping that tourists seeing the video will respect our oceans a little more,” Welch-Hudson told Storyful. "I heard lots of people on the beach attempting to say the shark wasn’t dangerous. One man even said he would jump in and “punch the shark” – that angered me, of course. Blacktips are wary of humans but when provoked near a feeding area, like the fishing pier where many sand sharks are often seen feeding on bait, they will become aggressive!"

She praised lifeguards for doing a “fantastic job as to not allow swimmers to panic” by calling them in but waiting until everyone was out of the water before telling them what was happening. Credit: Nicki Welch-Hudson via Storyful