Shark Attacks

According to the International Shark Attack File, there are less than 1000 attacks a year by sharks on humans and only between 10 and 15 of these results in death. To put this into perspective, 1,000 are killed by crocodiles, 1,500 by tigers, leopards and lions and 60,000 from being bitten by a snake. According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, people kill between 20 and 30 million sharks a year in sport and commercial fishing, putting some species of shark on the endangered list.

Sharks have the image of being ferocious killers. They look so terrifying because of their large size and enormous mouths seemingly filled with hundreds of teeth. Since the film Jaws was released, sharks have been feared by millions of people all over the world. A shark attack is sudden and violent and a terrifying experience for the victim. So, are sharks really man-eating predators or are most shark attacks a case of mistaken identity?

Shark Tactics

There are three ways that sharks attack their victims. The first is the “hit and run” attack where the shark takes one bite and then leaves. This is thought to be because the shark has mistaken the human for its normal prey and is the commonest form of shark attack. The second is the “bump and bite” attack where the shark first bumps its victim and then comes back and bites them. The third way a shark can attack is called “sneak attack” where there is no warning that the shark is about to attack and the shark then continues its attack. The second two forms of attack are not as common as the “hit and run” attack but result in the most severe injuries and death.

Deadliest Sharks

Between 1580 and 2006, there were 1238 attacks on humans by sharks. 348 of these attacks were provoked whilst 622 were unprovoked. 39 different shark species were involved in these attacks, with most attacks (430 attacks with 63 fatalities) being carried out by the Great White Shark.

The Tiger Shark takes second place with 145 attacks and 28 fatalities. The Bull Shark comes next with 110 attacks causing 23 fatalities and fourth place goes to the requiem shark with 49 attacks and 8 fatalities. Other sharks involved in attacks include the Sand Tiger Shark with 76 attacks and 2 fatalities, the Black Tip Shark, 40 attacks 1 fatality, the Hammerhead Shark, 38 attacks 1 fatality, the Spinner Shark, 16 attacks, the Blue Shark 38 attacks 4 fatalities and the Black Tip Reef Shark with 20 attacks.

Mistaken Identity

Experts say that more than ninety percent of shark attacks on humans are mistakes. Sharks are predators, they are at the top of the ocean food chain and they have evolved to hunt and eat meat. Sharks usually eat fish, sea lions, seals, sea turtles and whales. They don’t eat humans. Sharks need plenty of energy to keep their large bodies moving and humans aren’t high enough in fat to satisfy this requirement.

The majority of shark attacks involve the shark biting the victim, hanging on for a few seconds and possibly dragging them under the water. Then it lets go. It is not usual for the shark to attack repeatedly or actually eat the human victim. When it’s had a taste the shark realises that the human isn’t what it usually eats and lets go.

Most people who are attacked by sharks are surfers or riding boogie boards. The shark looks up and sees this oval shape with arms and legs paddling along. The human looks very like a sea lion, which is what Great White Sharks eat most, or a sea turtle, the favourite food of Tiger Sharks.

Curiosity

These hit and run attacks could also be the result of a shark’s curiosity. It could be that, without hands or fingers, the shark uses its mouth, jaws, teeth and gums to investigate something new. White sharks have been observed investigating all sorts of floating objects, whatever their shape and size with their mouths, though some do show a preference for seal shaped objects.

Other Causes

Other shark attacks happen when people are swimming, splashing about and generally agitating the water. Sharks think that the water movement is caused by an animal that is injured or in some way in distress. They think that they are in for an easy meal

Shiny jewellery and colours can attract sharks. They think that the sun glinting off jewellery is glinting off the scales of a shoal of fish. Many coral reef fish are colourful and the bright colours attract the sharks to a possible food source.

Provocation

Of course, sharks will attack if they are provoked. Provoked attacks are usually the result of people touching or disturbing sharks. For example, a fisherman who has a shark caught in his net may lose a limb or a finger if he is not careful when trying to release it. Divers have been known to taunt or grab sharks and the consequences are hardly surprising.

Avoiding Shark Attacks

Shark attacks are few and far between and some sensible precautions will help to ensure that you aren’t one of the unlucky victims. Sharks are more likely to attack you if you are alone, so stay with a group of people and don’t wander off. Sharks usually feed in the early mornings and late afternoons, so you should avoid those times for going in the sea.

Don’t go into the water if you are bleeding even if it is from a tiny cut or injury. Sharks can sense blood from several feet away so you could be attracting them. Shiny jewellery shouldn’t be worn when you are swimming in the sea as a shark could spot it shining and think that it is the scales of a fish. Don’t swim near where people are fishing as the fish they catch can attract sharks. Sharks can see colour contrasts very easily so don’t wear anything brightly coloured in murky water. Excessive splashing could look like the movements of an injured or disorientated fish or animal to a shark and they could think you were an easy meal. Don’t swim where there are sandbars, estuary inlets and steep drop-offs and this is where sharks like to be.