There is no doubt that being attacked by a shark is incredibly frightening and often deadly. The fear turns into anger as the public demands that something “be done” and officials somehow decide that going on a shark killing spree is the answer. It will get rid of a bunch of sharks and people will feel avenged, right? Well, maybe that’s true, but it doesn’t really do anyone… or any sharks… any good at all.
A marine biologist, Carl Meyer, in Hawaii has been debunking shark myths for many years. He works at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology Shark Research Group and as an expert, he says that all of that killing is unnecessary. Meyer says that there is no evidence that sharks return to hunt at a beach after they’ve attacked there once.
Meyer has used tracking equipment and cameras to record the shark activity around the islands of Hawaii. Data reveals that there have only been around three shark attacks per year over the last 25 years. There has been an increase over the last two years, it is too soon to call it an upward trend. Remember that sharks are disturbed by a number of changes in their environments that disrupt their normal routes or where they normally give birth. If there is construction or other disturbances in an area, sharks may be driven to a new area and it could be closer to the coastline.
Another myth: that sharks are attracted to the cages used by tourist attractions to view sharks safely underwater and follow them to shore. Meyer says that that simply is not true. His observations show that the sharks go from the surface, where the cages are, back to the bottom of the site when the cage is removed. He also notes that the most frequent attacks are by tiger sharks, a breed rarely seen near the cages.
A tourist boat captain says that open ocean shark attacks are frequently unintentional. The shark has mistaken the person for some type of its usual prey. If humans were something they enjoyed eating, attacks would be much higher and more regular. It is worth noting that most people actually survive shark attacks. If we were truly the target for food, nobody would survive.
It isn’t wrong to be fearful of sharks or to be careful when swimming, surfing, or engaging in other ocean activities. Simply remember that you are on the shark’s turf without an invitation. Steer clear of areas that have known shark activity. Have respect for these powerful animals.
But as Hawaiian officials consider the question of their ongoing practice of slaughtering sharks in an area that has had an attack, they should carefully study Meyer’s data. There is no reason to kill as many sharks as they can find. It does no good for humans or for sharks. Hopefully, they will see the error in this practice.
