Human-Shark Encounters Might Not be as Dangerous as Believed, Experts Insist
Shark Bites: Blaming the Human Aggressor
It seems our perceptions about shark attacks might be off the mark. According to a groundbreaking study recently published in Frontiers in Conservation Science, some shark bites aren't predatory in nature as we might assume. Instead, they could be defended as a form of self-defense by the sharks themselves.
French marine biologists led this research, shedding new light on the complex world of shark encounters with humans. The study reveals that approximately 5% of shark bites result from self-defense, as the sharks react to human aggression.
Eric Clua, a shark specialist at PSL University and the lead researcher, was inspired to investigate this topic after observing several incidents in French Polynesia. He noticed that fishermen who indiscriminately killed sharks trapped in fish pens would sometimes end up getting bitten when they initially failed to kill the shark. Additionally, Clua reported accidents where sharks seemed to attack spearfishers out of defense, protecting their prey.
Based on their analysis, Clua and his team discovered that 5% of documented shark bites in French Polynesia resulted from self-defense. They then expanded their research to the Global Shark Attack Files, which has been recording shark bites since 1863. Approximately 5% of the bites, equating to 322 bites overall, appeared to be a response to perceived human aggression.
Defensive shark bites are characterized by several distinctive features:
- Sharks bite humans immediately after a perceived aggressive action.
- Bites are often repeated but result in superficial, non-lethal injuries.
- Even though the human action may be mild, the shark's response might be disproportionately violent due to the animal's desperation to survive.
Clua stated, "The results of this study show that sharks have as much right as any animal or human to defend themselves when their survival is at stake." He underscored the importance of humans understanding their role in provoking self-defense bites and taking responsibility for their actions.
To prevent future shark bites, the team advises avoiding close interactions with sharks and emphasizes the importance of staying in groups when swimming in shark-populated areas. Contrary to popular belief, staying still will not necessarily dissuade a predatory shark from attacking, so it's essential to defend oneself if a predator attack occurs.
Despite the media's sensationalism surrounding shark attacks, the study highlights that humanity bears much of the responsibility. In 2024, only 88 shark bites were recorded worldwide, and at most seven related deaths occurred. Compare that to estimated hippo fatalities of 500 people per year, and the danger posed by sharks pales in comparison.
Clua hopes that his research will encourage journalists to approach shark attacks differently, focusing on human behaviors that provoke encounters rather than blaming the sharks. The team aims to further investigate other types of shark bites, such as exploratory bites where sharks test humans as potential prey.
- The study published in Frontiers in Conservation Science challenges common perceptions about shark attacks, suggesting that some bites could be defensive responses by sharks against human aggression.
- The team, led by Eric Clua from PSL University, found that approximately 5% of documented shark bites in French Polynesia and around 5% of the bites recorded in the Global Shark Attack Files since 1863 were defensive in nature.
- Clua believes that a better understanding of the factors that provoke defensive shark bites could help mitigate future encounters and prevent shark attacks.
- As the research highlights, it's crucial for humans to recognize their role in shark interactions and take responsibility for their actions to minimize provoking defensive behavior in sharks, thereby reducing the risk of future bites.
