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Gulf Shores Today
By the People, for the People
New Shark Alert System Rolls Out on Alabama's Gulf Coast
The Lulu Gribbins Shark Alert System aims to keep beachgoers safe with real-time notifications.
Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:33pm
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The new digital shark alert system aims to keep beachgoers informed and safe by tapping into the hidden patterns and unseen forces of the marine environment.Gulf Shores TodayA new government-issued shark alert system has been implemented in the coastal areas of Alabama's Baldwin and Mobile counties, providing real-time notifications to beachgoers about the presence of sharks in the water. The system, called the Lulu Gribbins Shark Alert System, was prompted by a 2024 shark attack that left a swimmer with life-changing injuries, and is the first of its kind in the nation.
Why it matters
The new shark alert system is an important public safety measure, as shark sightings and attacks have been on the rise in the Gulf Coast region. The system aims to give beachgoers the information they need to make informed decisions about entering the water and staying safe.
The details
The Lulu Gribbins Shark Alert System works through a geofencing technology that sends notifications directly to beachgoers' mobile devices when sharks are detected in the area. The system is active in the coastal sections of Baldwin County, from Gulf Shores to Orange Beach, and Mobile County, from the Eastern Shore to the Mississippi state line. The alerts will not be triggered outside of these tightly geofenced coastal areas.
- The Lulu Gribbins Shark Alert System went live on Monday, April 8, 2026.
- In June 2024, Lulu Gribbin was attacked by a bull shark while swimming off the Florida coast, suffering a life-changing injury.
The players
Lulu Gribbin
A swimmer who was attacked by a bull shark in 2024 off the Florida coast, suffering a life-changing injury. Gribbin and her foundation have been pressing coastal communities to implement better shark warning systems.
Lulu Gribbins Shark Alert System
The new government-issued shark alert system implemented in the coastal areas of Alabama's Baldwin and Mobile counties, providing real-time notifications to beachgoers about the presence of sharks in the water.
What’s next
The Lulu Gribbins Shark Alert System will continue to be monitored and evaluated for potential expansion to other Gulf Coast states.
The takeaway
The new shark alert system in Alabama's coastal areas is an important step in improving public safety and giving beachgoers the information they need to make informed decisions about entering the water. This system could serve as a model for other Gulf Coast states looking to implement similar shark warning measures.
