Most people such as divers, snorkelers, surfers, surf life savers, divers and fishermen accept that there is a risk of being bitten by a shark every time they go in the water. Sure the chances may be 1 in a million of being bitten but they are still aware that it is the risk they take. And they will still choose to go do their chosen activities (whether for work or recreation) in what is essentially the shark's dinner bowl knowing that risk is there.
What is perhaps more telling is that when there is an attack the family of the person or persons bitten nearly always say that their son/daughter/husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/mentor/best friend or whatever knew those risks of going in the ocean and did it any way because what they were doing at their time was something they loved doing. They also nearly always say that they don't want the shark to be culled. (Which I personally think is fantastic considering that sharks have been around for millions of years and actually descended from dinosaurs.)
However when reading about shark attacks (both in Australia and around the world) there are a few similarities that keep cropping up in a lot of the attack stories. There are also some things that go against what experts say in relation to reducing the risk of making yourself a target as a shark chew toy.
Some of these similarities are what locals call "perfect shark conditions" which are commonly noted as dark, stormy or overcast skies as well as food source activity in the near vicinity where the attack takes place such as seals, whales, dolphins or large schools of fish. Other things that have been noted is swimming, surfing or body boarding alone at dusk or dawn- both of which are natural shark feeding times.
-Experts have always suggested that swimming in groups reduces your risks of being bitten. But this doesn't always work. The following excerpt and link is from one of the news stories that followed the death of 21 year old body boarder and surfer who was bitten at the popular surf spot the Boneyards.
""There was another 20 people in the water as well," Mr McLeay said."
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/shark-attack-claims-life-at-bunker-bay/story-e6frg14u-1226129165960
Monday, 2 December 2013
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
What is a shark?
The
following definition is from Google.
Shark
noun
noun: shark;
plural noun: sharks; noun: red-tailed black shark; plural noun: red-tailed
black sharks; noun: black shark; plural noun: black sharks
1. 1.
a long-bodied chiefly marine fish with a
cartilaginous skeleton, a prominent dorsal fin, and tooth-like scales. Most
sharks are predatory, though the largest kinds feed on plankton, and some can
grow to a large size.
However due to what psychologists call “primal fear” a lot
of people define sharks in much simpler ways such as long, grey marine creature
that has a huge mouth full of very sharp teeth.
(My mom jokes about them being like enthusiastic and extremely curious
children that don’t attack humans, but instead “play”. Only problem is that
humans are not durable play mates.)
Also below is from Google.
1. Shark
Fish
2. Sharks are a group
of fish characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton, five to seven gill slits on
the sides of the head, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Wikipedia
3.
4. Scientific name:
Selachimorpha
5. Lifespan:
20 – 30 y (In Wild)
6. Speed:
8 km/h on average (Adult, In The Water, Swimming)
7. Rank:
Superorder
9. Lower
classifications: Lamniformes,
Squatiniformes,
Hexanchiformes,
Squaliformes,
Pristiophoriformes,
Carcharhiniformes,
Heterodontiformes,
Carpet shark
The four most recognised types of shark (out of water and who get mistaken for
each other in the water) are below with their names underneath.
This is the Great White shark or Carcharodon carcharias (Alternative names: white pointer, white shark, white death.) and the shark that is held responsible for most shark attacks in Australia.
This is the Tiger shark or Galeocerdo cuvier. The almost tiger like stripes along the back are part of the reason why they are referred to by that name.
This is the Bronze Whaler or Carcharhinus brachyurus. The Bronze Whaler and Bull sharks are sometimes mistaken for each other for the more defined triangle section at the tip of the tail as well as the more longer, pointed nose despite the colour difference.
And lastly this is the Bull Shark or Carcharhinus leucas. (Alternative names: river whaler, freshwater whaler, Swan River whaler)
All pictures are courteous of the below website.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)