Save the Sharks: The Truth a Misunderstood Animal

What comes to mind when you hear shark? Man eater? Insatiable hunger? Mindless killer? These ideas were placed in our minds by the media. Sensationalized reporting and movies such as Jaws have placed a fear in us. It is a fear of something that usually shouldn't be feared at all. And contrary to popular belief, sharks are afraid of us, too. But unlike us, they have a reason to be afraid. Every year, 100 million sharks are killed worldwide by fishermen and trophy hunters. Annually, no more than thirty humans are killed by sharks. These low numbers are not even comparable. Sharks are vital to the ocean's ecosystem, and because of our ignorance they are being depleted. Of course, some people still believe that sharks are more dangerous to humans than we are to them. However, careful study of the topic shows that the opposite is true.

SHARK BEHAVIOR

The behavior of sharks is hard to explain even though this creature has been around close to 400 million years. Of course, some questions have been answered. It is known that distress stimuli such as speared fish or thrashing in the water will attract a shark. This is because the shark's flanks are paved with sensory cells, thus making the body an antenna for receiving infrasonic impulses. These infrasonic impulses are usually given off by irregular movement in the water, such as a speared fish. A troubled fish means dinner for the shark, so when it receives the impulses it rushes over.

Another strange behavior of sharks is the feeding frenzies. When there is an abundance of prey, blood or irregular movements, this behavior is triggered. "Frenzied sharks attack anything that moves - snapping, slashing and biting even their own kind, without inhibition." (Springer) Scientists are not quite sure what provokes these feeding frenzies, but it may be that their brain becomes overloaded with sensory cues and they lose all inhibition.

To find out if sharks are territorial, two diver scientists arranged an experiment. In controlled conditions, they cornered a number of sharks. They found that the intensity of the shark's response was directly related to the degree of confinement. This evidence helps to prove that sharks feel threatened by invaders.

There is still a lot to learn about shark behavior. They are very complex creatures, and their habits differ greatly from other creatures. Learning about their basic behavior and feeding habits will help scientists explain shark attacks.

SHARK ATTACKS

Shark attacks on humans are rare. Of the 354 species of sharks, only thirty-four of these have ever attacked a human, and only twelve species do so "frequently." These statistics alone make it clear that, for the most part, sharks are docile creatures. Still, sharks remain one of the most feared animals on earth. "If sharks were inclined to eat humans, there would be many more attacks." (Ellis) By now sharks would have learned that beaches provide easy access to food, yet annual attack numbers worldwide remain around one hundred.

So why do shark attacks occur? One of the biggest reasons is that thy mistake humans for their usual prey. The bottom of a surfboard or a diver in a neoprene wetsuit bear a slight resemblance to a shark's usual prey. They are also attracted to blood, whether it is from humans or fish. Thrashing in the water can also initiate an attack. The shark views the sudden movements as either a fish in distress or something invading its territory. Even sex has been suggested as a motivating force. This is because some bites on victims are similar to courtship bites. This is still a theory, though, because there is no evidence that only males perpetrate these attacks.

If a shark does attack, it will be one of three types of attacks. Each attack varies in its degree of seriousness. The hit and run attack mostly targets swimmers and surfers. The shark and human unexpectedly meet, and the shark is either cornered or feels threatened. It bites and quickly speeds away. This attack is rarely fatal and is probably a case of mistaken identity.

The bump and bite attack is more serious. The shark circles the intended prey then bumps it to determine if it is alive. A bite usually follows.

The most dangerous attack is the sneak attack. It occurs without warning. The shark usually lunges from below the prey and bites repeatedly. This type of attack is rare but produces the most injuries and fatalities. This attack is so deadly because the shark relies on its stealth to surprise its usual prey of seals. Therefore, the bite must be quick and harmful.

The majority of attacks tend to be cases of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Of course, like most things, they can be avoided by the using common sense and following simple rules.

SHARK FINNING

"Sharks have a great deal to fear from humans." (www.sharkattacks.com) OF the 100 million sharks killed by humans each year, the majority is killed by shark finning. This is a practice that has been around for years, but the effects of it have not been noticed until recently. Shark finning is when fishermen catch the sharks, cut the fins off and throw it back in the water. The shark either drowns or is eaten alive by other animals. They are thrown back in the water because a shark's body is not valuable. The boat space saved is used for more valuable fish, such as marlins and swordfish. The main reason for shark finning is greed. Shark fins, which only make up 4 - 7% of the total body mass, are used to make shark fin soup. This soup is considered a delicacy in the Orient and sells for over $100 per bowl.

Finning is making shark populations decrease dramatically. The reason lies in the reproductive habits of sharks. Unlike most fish, sharks can take up to fifteen years to reach sexual maturity. Most sharks only produce one pup annually. Therefore, when a species is overfished, it can take years to recover or sadly, they may never recover. Many scientists think that sharks should never be fished at all because of their fragile biology. They think sharks should get the total protection that many other marine animals have. Unfortunately, sharks do not have the widespread support of the public like manatees and dolphins.

MEDIA

In our society, the media has a huge impact on what we do and think. It is our main source of information, but that can cause problems. The media's goal is to sell their story, so information is usually altered. When it comes to sharks the media is quick to demonize them. Reporters, journalists and editors know that a killer shark will bring in more money than a friendly one. Therefore, coverage of sharks tends to make the sharks the bad guy.

In 1975, the movie Jaws was released. It was a box office hit. Not only did it hit the box office, but also the diving and boating industries. Suddenly, the American public was afraid to enter the water. Peter Benchley and Steven Speilberg created a man-eating monster. The effect this movie had on people was incomparable. People feared sharks like never before. And reasonably so. The movie's tag line, after all, was "Stay out of the water." It gave people the idea that the only good shark is a dead shark. That mindset has been passed on from parents to their children. This proves that we fear what we do not understand. We do not understand sharks, because the media never gives an accurate account of events.

Sensationalistic media is extremely detrimental to sharks. It gives the public pictures of this terrible monster, when it is really just an animal looking for dinner. Peter Benchley, the author of Jaws, has even changed his view on sharks. He told TIME, "I couldn't write Jaws today. After twenty-five years of research, the demonization of sharks doesn't hold. It used to be believed that great white sharks did target humans; now we know that except in the rarest of instances, great what shark attacks are mistakes." (Baughn) Until the media begins to show sharks as the beautiful, agile creatures they are, they will continue to be targeted.

OTHER CAUSES FOR SHARK DEATHS

Shark finning and the media are not the only things that hurt sharks. Pollution, trophy hunters and driftnet fishing also claim the lives of many sharks each year.

Pollution, of course, is harmful to all living things, including sharks. Each year, fourteen billion pounds of garbage are thrown into the oceans. The different types of pollution that affect the water are air pollution, sewage, poisonous chemicals and spilled oil. Plastics, something that sounds harmless, actually kill millions of sea creatures. Plastic does not break down naturally; therefore it builds up in the water. When it is eaten by sharks, it cannot be digested, so it damages stomach linings and releases poison into the animal. Eventually, the shark will die.

Trophy hunters have been fishing on the open sea for years. Their motive is to simply kill a shark. All they want is to be able to tell friends that they beat this predator. But, of course, a human will win over this defenseless shark. (Yes, a shark is defenseless when it comes to man's modern technology.) This hunting could be viewed as a way to cure their fear of sharks. Instead of learning about the animal they kill it. In any case, it is unnecessary and needs to be stopped.

Driftnets were developed for two reasons: to help fishermen and to place in the water surrounding the beaches. These are large nets that are lowered into the water. When a shark swims into it, its gills get stuck. The more it fights for freedom, the more tangled it becomes. The shark eventually drowns. Fishermen use the nets when they want to fin large amounts of sharks. In Australia, they were placed one mile out from the beaches in hopes of ending shark attacks. The attacks still remain, though, so apparently these nets are not protecting humans, they are only killing sharks.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARKS

Wouldn't the oceans be safer without sharks? After all, they strike fear in so many, and when they attack, it is brutal. The answer is no. "Without sharks, the whole experience of being in a natural ocean wilderness would be immeasurably reduced." (www.sharkattacks.com) They are as important to the ocean as dolphins, fish and manatees.

The ecology of the ocean would be changed, too. Sharks control the population in many good ways. First, they attack the most handicapped prey, therefore helping to eliminate diseased and genetically defective individuals. Sharks also help keep population explosions under control.

An example of the tragedy of removing this predator from the ocean was seen in Tasmania. After almost two years of overfishing, a local shark fishery collapsed. Soon after, the local fishery for spiny lobsters collapsed. Fishermen then noticed an increase in octopus, which are a major prey of sharks, and the top predator of spiny lobsters. Without sharks, the entire marine food chain is thrown off track. Sharks keep everything in the ocean in check, just as lions and tigers keep everything in the Serengeti in check. Without one, the rest fall.

WHAT WE CAN DO

Sharks need to be saved, and humans are the only ones who can do it. Sharks have lived longer than the dinosaurs, and will probably live longer than humans. They seem to be perfectly geared for survival. Unfortunately, sharks are perishing at the hands of a much more skilled predator - humans. They will not continue their long evolution if we continue killing them. But we can help.

The most important thing that needs to be done to save the sharks is to ban shark finning worldwide. It is illegal in some places, but it needs to be banned and strictly enforced around the globe. Tens of millions of sharks can be saved every year in finning is done away with. Writing letters to congressmen is a great way to make your feelings about finning known.

Many organizations such as PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, have set up campaigns to save sharks. Project AWARE is their environmental awareness group. By supporting this group, concerned individuals can support all marine life, including sharks.

One of the most controversial things involving sharks are shark feedings. The feeding is when a trained instructor and feeder take a group of divers and feed the sharks chum. The sharks swarm the feeder and pay little attention to the divers. This is a great way for people to interact with sharks. It helps people understand and appreciate these animals. So far only good has come out of these feedings - excited divers return home to tell friends of the kind sharks they swam with. There have been no attacks on shark feeding divers to date. The diving community is evenly split on the topic. In a survey, 55% felt feedings promote good relations, while 45% said the feedings should be banned. Still, there is no arguing that so far the feedings have only given sharks a better image.

Of course, the most obvious way to help the sharks is to educate people. The more people know about sharks, the less fearsome the creature becomes. Divers can talk to friends can talk to friends, families and other people to inform them of how agile and beautiful sharks are. Many dive instructors and divemasters go to grade schools to talk to the kids about sharks and calm their fears. Hopefully, these talks are helping children realize how important and fragile sharks are. In a few years, all the decisions concerning our world, including what happens to sharks, will be made by them. If they learn now how much we need sharks, then they will be able to help save sharks in the years to come.

PERSONAL REACTION

I strongly believe that humans are much more dangerous to sharks than they are to us. Researching this paper has shown how important these creatures are to our world. The attacks are one of the many risks you take when you enter the ocean. We are entering a world that we do not belong in, and therefore we need to understand the dangers that the oceans pose.

Sharks are simply trying to survive in a world where humans dominate. They do not deserve to die in the obscene numbers that they currently do. Finning is completely wrong and needs to be banned worldwide. Without that ban, governments are saying that it is okay to kill an animal just because we don't understand it. I think through education and better media coverage the reputation sharks currently hold can be improved.

CONCLUSION

Sharks are geared for survival, there is no denying that. They have been the top predator of the oceans for 400 million years. Yet they are killed by the millions each year. Many species are becoming endangered and someday will become extinct if the meaningless killings do not stop. Humans are in control - we can either save the sharks or deplete them. If people begin to set aside their fear of sharks, they will see these creatures as a wonder of nature that needs to be saved.

Allen, Thomas B. The Shark Almanac. New York: The Lyons Press, 1999.

"A Call to Ban Shark Finning." Sharkattacks.com 1999. http://www.sharkattacks.com/sharkvictims.htm.

Cousteau, Jacques. The Ocean World of Jacques Cousteau: Instinct and Intelligence. Canada: The Danbury Press, 1975. p. 56 -57.

Ellis, Richard. The Book of Sharks. New York: Grosset and Dunlap, 1976.

Elvin, John. "Sorry, No Sharks... But Lots of Media." Insight on the News. 17 Sept 2001. v17 i135 p35.

Jaws. Dir. Steven Speilberg. Perf. Roy Schieder, Richard Dreyfuss. Universal, 1975.

Kenney, Steve. "Shark Junction." http://www.underwaterphotographers.com/sharkjunction.htm. 2000.

Murphy, Austin. "Feeding Frenzy." Sports Illustrated. 17 Sept 2001. v95 i11 pA22.

Springer, Victor G. and Joy Gold. Sharks in Question: The Smithsonian Answer Book. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institute Press, 1989.

Yociss, Mike. Personal interview. 3 Apr 2002.