It could, ultimately, also help to tell us something about the reasons underlying attacks on humans, he says. Some researchers are turning to forensic methods to try and unravel some of the reasons behind attacks. They are developing techniques to use DNA and bite-mark patterns to identify species, while others are examining video footage of attacks and comparing these to injuries to get a better understanding of what happened.
Data from shark spotters in South Africa have shown that great whites are more active near the surface, and so more likely to be seen, when water temperatures are above 14C , during a new moon and in the afternoon.
Other research, however, has suggested that great whites are more successful hunters at night when there is a full moon. Many areas now operate shark patrols to spot sharks before they enter areas used by swimmers and surfers so they can be alerted Credit: Getty Images. Other researchers have suggested juvenile great whites may attack humans as they hone their predatory skills , in much the same way that young lions will experiment with whatever prey they can take on.
But regardless of the reasons for attacks on humans, the risks involved are still vanishingly small. In Australia the rate of shark attacks is in the order of 0. It is worth noting that in , the US figures dropped to around 0.
These figures are blunt instruments, of course. They fail to account for the comparatively fewer numbers of people who actually use the water, and the fewer still who swim in water inhabited by dangerous sharks. But these statistics, however ridiculous or comforting they might seem, do little to dampen our fear of sharks. We learn that fear very quickly from a single story. People who have never seen a shark before fear them because we hear or watch stories about them.
The focus on the risks that sharks pose to us also diverts attention from the far greater threat we pose to their survival due to over fishing and human-induced climate change.
But for those who are afraid and want to know how to protect themselves from a shark, some advise punching a biting shark in the gills or poking it in the eyes.
Swimming in groups and staying close to the shore are known to reduce the risk of attacks. Getting into water where there are lots of bait fish that can attract sharks will increase your risk of being bitten Credit: Alamy. Read more about whether technology could reduce shark attacks. In some areas, the local authorities themselves have taken action.
Traditionally, some authorities have used shark nets to protect areas used by swimmers, but these are controversial due to the harm they do to other wildlife. Instead, smart drum lines — which use baited hooks attached to a system that sends out an alert when triggered — are now being trialled at several beach locations along the coast of western Australia.
When a shark takes the bait, an alert is sent to response teams who catch, tag and then release the shark in a safer location. Another approach being tested in Cape Town, South Africa, is an electromagnetic cable that aims to discourage sharks from approaching areas used by swimmers. Scientists have also been testing an electromagnetic barrier as an alternative to shark nets. These could be important steps as the harm caused by shark attacks can extend far beyond their immediate victims.
He himself was attacked by a bull shark while surfing eight years ago in south-west Australia, nearly losing his arm when the animal smashed into him, bit into his forearm to the bone and carried him underwater.
A spate of shark attacks on Reunion Island led to calls for the local authorities to take action beyond bans on swimming and surfing Credit: Getty Images. On a recent visit to Ballina, a surfing hotspot in New South Wales, Australia, he saw just what a shark attack can do to a town. The area has suffered a spate of attacks, including two fatal ones on surfers in They were both thinking about closing.
A similar story is unfolding in Reunion where the local authorities have banned surfing and swimming in the water at certain times of the year due to fears about further shark attacks. The number of bites on humans have reduced as a result, but it has also taken its toll on the tourism industry.
Forensic analysis of shark bite patterns is helping to reveal more about the species responsible for attacks and the reasons why they happen Credit: Alamy. The personal effect of her attack, however, has been long lasting. Now I am scared of it. I used to think sharks were cool, but now I am terrified of them, although I still [have] respect for them. Her shark posters have gone, as has her enjoyment of the sea.
Instead she tends to prefer swimming or kayaking on rivers. But she still has the occasional nightmare about sharks. I ended up seeing a psychiatrist to help me get over this. Mighall still has the surfboard she was riding on the day of her attack, a huge toothy bite missing from one side. Like the scars on her leg, it is a reminder of what can happen on the rare occasions that sharks do choose to attack the humans who stray into their domain.
They both entitle her to fear these animals. For those who fear them without having had such a close encounter she has a sound piece of advice. Some of the larger shark species prey on seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals. Sharks have been known to attack humans when they are confused or curious. If a shark sees a human splashing in the water, it may try to investigate, leading to an accidental attack. Still, sharks have more to fear from humans than we do of them.
The way they attack is to sneak up from underneath their prey and attack quickly and ferociously. A team of researchers from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia have studied shark behaviour and even conducted experiments from a sharks-eye-view. Lead author Laura Ryan said the results of the experiment supported the mainstream theory that bites on humans by white sharks were exploratory.
The research also supports another theory: that many attacks are carried out by juvenile sharks. Younger sharks have poorer vision than adults and are also just starting to incorporate seals into their diet.
So far in , there have been 72 shark attack bites recorded worldwide, according to trackingsharks. The site reports that seven of these attacks have been fatal while five of them were provoked. All the attacks have been publicly reported and verified.
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