Sharks In General
Sharks, an important part of the oceanic food chain, are among the greatest predators ever. In the text of this page, I will share all information I know about these magnificent creatures. For instance, did you know there are over 350 species of sharks and only about 25 are considered dangerous. Thats true! The top three from that list are the Great White, Tiger Shark, and Bull Shark, respectively. (Although recently, Discovery Channel's Shark Week stated that the Bull Shark, the one that's been reaking havoc on the United States coasts, was placed first on the most dangerous list.)
Before I even start, I would like to offer my condolences to the families of victims. Okay, on to my views. Why so many shark attacks lately? Believe it or not, it's our, the public's, fault. But why? One aspect is the guided shark-feeding dives. Once people entered the water and handed out food, sharks began to associate us with food. Closer and closer to beaches they came, until they attacked.
But why so many attacks? That question will probably never be answered correctly. But take note, last year, I believe there were about ten or so more shark attacks at this time. The shark carnage probably all began with the attack on the little boy early this summer. The attack that left him, the little boy, in a coma for quite some time. Yet, out of the sixty plus attacks only TWO, have been fatal.
Think about this... How many people enter coastal waters? I don't know the exact number, but it is a very large number. On that point, answer me this: Why haven't there been more attacks? Answer: WE ARE NOT A PREY ITEM! Have you heard of a shark attack yet this year where the shark has taken a human and totally consumed it? No, its just unheard of. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but it is highly unlikely. In most cases it is a limb that the shark takes.
Since that voracious, and I use the term loosely, attack on the little boy, the media has been on every attack that has happened since. If the media were to cover every last death by bee-sting in the U.S. alone, people would be paranoid to even go outside. If one can't handle the consequences, then don't get in the water. I know that's being blunt, but it's the main problem behind the attacks.
One of the biggest problems I see is the uneducated public's opinion about sharks: "SHARKS ARE GONNA KILL ME IF I GET IN THE WATER" or "IF WE KILL ALL THE SHARKS, OUR PROBLEMS ARE OVER". Take the latter. That is a totally unjustified statement. If we kill sharks indiscrimanately, we are destroying the whole oceanic food chain. We just can't do it.
Another aspect of the attacks could be a dwindling food source. Although I'm not entirely sure on this aspect, I do know that there is numerous over-fishing going on. In other words, we become a good food source when natural prey items are at a shortage. Scary thought, but true.
Another thing I know for sure is that our frolicing in the shallow coastal waters generates a weak electrical field that, to a shark, is very similar to a struggling fish - an easy prey. Are there any types of prevention? Yes and no. Yes in that there are ways to make barriers. No in that these barriers can be destructive to the sharks than helpful to humans.
Don't get me wrong. Sharks can be dangerous. Just respect them and you'll be alright. After all, when we enter the water, we are in their territory.
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