With their dark eyes, sharp teeth and fearsome reputation, all sharks are ruthless killers… aren’t they?
Words Victoria Williams
1. Sharks will target swimmers, divers and surfers
Thanks to the movies, sharks are thought of as ruthless killers targeting any human foolish enough to get in the water. You might find it reassuring to know just a few of over 400 species are considered dangerous, and you’re far more likely to be killed by a cow than a shark. There are around 16 shark attacks each year in America, but just one fatality every two years.
The Shark Trust believe the ‘monster’ image is not one sharks deserve. Conservation officer Cat Gordon says, “Sharks need to be treated with respect, like any wild animal. Even a typically ‘harmless’ filter feeding shark like a basking shark is capable of breaching clean out of the water, so it’s wise not to get too close.
“When humans are bitten, these incidents are inevitably high profile due to their traumatic nature, but they are usually the result of an exploratory bite to see if the target would be suitable prey. The number of reported shark bites is relative to the number of people entering the marine environment each year, with increased popularity of ocean-based recreational pursuits and technology allowing people to remain in the water for longer.”
2. You can hide from sharks among jellyfish
In the 2016 thriller The Shallows, the main character finds herself stranded in water with a great white shark determined to eat her. The film follows her efforts to escape from the giant predator, including hiding among a group of jellyfish.
If you ever come face to face with a shark, don’t waste your time looking for jellyfish. Sharks have really thick skin covered in tooth-like scales, so stings would be no more than a tickle. The only vulnerable parts are their eyes, but membranes can be lowered to protect them.
If you’re heading to British beaches this summer, the Shark Trust stresses that you’re extremely unlikely to get into a situation that requires outsmarting a shark in the first place, as Cat explains.
“White sharks stalking British beaches stories have almost become an annual fixture of the summer. There has never been enough evidence to confirm the presence of white sharks in British waters, yet certain sections of the media often run with sensationalist-style reporting when dorsal fins are glimpsed or a dolphin strands on a beach.
“Facts are ignored and unnecessary public concern is often created - far from informing the public, this style of journalism has a detrimental impact on sharks and shark conservation.”
3. Sharks can smell a drop of human blood
A swimmer scratches their hand and a single drop of blood falls into the water. A few bars of ominous music later, a hungry shark appears to claim their free meal. It’s a
