Recent shark bite incidents prompt Senate to pass ‘Lulu’s Law’ alert system

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — It’s the latest of several recent close encounters with sharks.

Margaret Bowles and her friend paddle boarding off Cape Cod, spotting the fin of a great white.

“You can even see in the picture how my expression changes to paddling along from paddling along to oh my goodness there’s a shark we gotta go,” said Bowles.

At least eight shark bites have already been reported this season, including a little girl in Florida who nearly lost her hand.

Now, the U.S. Senate is taking action passing “Lulu’s Law,” named after an Alabama teenager bitten by a shark last year.

The law would allow authorities to send out cellphone alerts when there’s been a shark attack, just like an Amber Alert or weather alert.

“I consider this alert system to be one more tool in our toolbox to educate the public about the presence of these animals,” said Greg Skomal of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.

Lulu’s law now heads to the House for approval.