<br /> <p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>“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!"</p><p>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</p><br />
