They're being caught off the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier and spotted swimming in packs off the Gulf Coast in higher numbers, according to some beachgoers.

But is the increase in shark sightings due to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill? Perhaps not, explains George Burgess, director of Florida program for shark research at the University of Florida

"It may be a situation where there's more people out there looking for things than there were before," he said.

Warmer temperatures may also play a role, if indeed more sharks are swimming in shallow waters, Burgess added.

"This time of year, the water's warmer and shark sightings are normally up along the northeast Gulf Coast," he said.

If the oil spill is to blame, scientist won't know for sure until an ecological study is done to determine the spill's affect.

"The oil does make you wonder," Burgess said. "It's hard to say what's going on at this point, but it's safe to suggest that a large mobile predator like a shark is more easily able to escape from an area that's inhospitable."