The real reasons why sharks attack humans

Shark attacks can be rare, but the BBC's latest documentary, Why sharks attack, has undoubtedly caught the attention of many, raising questions and fears of shark attacks while swimming in open water. During the filming of the show, a sudden shark attack occurred in the resort of Sahl Hasheesh in Egypt in 2022. Elizabeth Sawyer, 68, was named as the victim and was said to have been diving in shallow water less than two metres deep when she was bitten. . Ms. Sawyer did not survive the attack and was pronounced dead before arriving at the hospital. This year, a 23-year-old Russian tourist named Vladimir Popov also lost his life after being attacked to death by a tiger shark off the Red Sea resorts in Egypt. Video footage showed sharks attacking humans when they thought swimmers were seals. A video of the man was taken from the beach, showing him screaming during the attack. So far this year, 46 shark attacks have been reported, seven of which were fatal, according to TrackingSharks.com. The question remains: why do sharks attack humans? Here's everything we know:

Why do sharks attack humans?

According to the Shark Research Institute, there are more than 400 species of sharks worldwide, which include great white sharks, tiger sharks, and bull sharks. Roger Tabor, a biologist, naturalist and broadcaster, told The Independent that the bull shark was linked to "increased attacks on surfers in the US". These attacks, he said, "are not likely to be fatal, but [the shark] will cut off its limbs."

Mr Tabor says the probability of being attacked by a shark is very low and the risk of drowning is "about 4,000 times greater, and even being killed by a cow is more likely than being hit by a shark, as is the case with cow and water statistics." more widespread across the land area."

However, certain areas may have more sharks, which "increases the likelihood of contact." Shark attacks are often classified into different categories: provocative and unjustified. According to the shark attack files, supported by the Florida Museum, worldwide last year there were a total of 57 unexplained shark bites on humans and 32 provocative bites. International Shark Attack files reported more than 500 unprovoked shark attacks between 2010 and 2019.

"Unexplained bites" are defined as incidents in which bites of a human occur in the natural habitat of a shark without any human provocation to the shark.

"Provocative bites" occur when a person begins to react to a shark in some way. For example, when divers are bitten after harassing or trying to touch sharks.

Mr Tabor told The Independent: "There is no evidence to prove that sharks specifically hunt humans. Most sharks are geared towards small prey, so only larger species have behaviors that allow them to attack larger prey, especially mammals. In a paper published by Eric Cluis, a marine biologist and Carl Mayer, a biologist at the University of Hawaii, in the journal Braille, they looked at the false identity hypothesis (MIH).

Global warming and habitat damage

Mr Tabor told The Independent that climate change could be the reason behind seeing an increase in shark attacks. "People are new to the planet compared to sharks. Humans, 2 million years old, even the ancestors of chimpanzees and ourselves only go back to 6 million years ago, while sharks go back to 450 million years old. Seals are only 23-24 million years old, and dolphins and porpoises date back twice that, not as much as sharks, but they have shared the seas much longer than we do with sharks. Mr Tabor adds that marine mammals "spend much more time at sea than we do on beaches, so they are more likely to be prey," thus, "global warming and habitat damage can move marine species including seal populations and sharks. This could make large sharks more connected to shores with humans (as was the case longer with seals).

How can I reduce the odds of a shark bite?

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has offered advice on how people can protect themselves and reduce the chances of being bitten — she says:

Stay in groups because sharks are more likely to be bitten if you are alone

Don't wander far into the water – especially without help

Avoid getting water with an open wound if you are menstruating because sharks often smell blood

Swimming in areas where rescuers are interested

Do not enter the water in areas where sharks are known

Dr James Leah, chief executive of Save the Seas, told The Independent that the chances of being bitten are very low, but if that happens, "the vast majority of bites are non-fatal, but they can of course have tragic consequences." It's important to swim where rescuers are under surveillance, or if you have any local programs like Shark Spotters – they can help sound the alarm if needed and help is on hand. Swimming in groups can reduce the risk, and try not to swim near diving birds or flocks of fish – predators such as sharks may have led them near the shore to feed. Dr Leah also says people should try to avoid swimming at "dawn and dusk – these are the times when sharks are often actively fishing because they take advantage of low-light conditions. Last but not least, Dr. Leah adds: "Don't stray too far from the beach, and avoid excess water splashes.