We’ve all been there: maybe it’s that the clouds have rolled in, or that the water is murky and the swell sub-par; perhaps you are simply the last one left in the lineup as the sun disappears and the sky darkens. Regardless of the conditions, something doesn’t feel right, and when you start thinking about sharks, it’s hard to stop.
Any time there is a shark-related incident you bet as a surfer you are going to hear about it. It doesn’t matter if you are up the Congo River – if there’s been a shark attack, they’ll be yelling it from the rooftops.
But what is it about these marine predators that make them so feared? In California there are over thirty species of shark to be found, but none of them have caused any fatal injury to humans besides one: the great white.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, there have been 215 shark incidents in California since 1950. A shark incident is defined by the department as any documented case where a shark approached and touched a person or the person’s surfboard, kayak, paddleboard, etc. Of the 215 reported incidents, 188 of those involved great white sharks, and all of the 16 reported fatalities have involved white sharks.
Why Are Great White Sharks Misunderstood?
Great whites, being the most scientifically researched shark species on the planet, are still hugely misunderstood. Nobody has ever seen a great white mate or give birth, and their migratory behavior is a puzzle to scientists. This mystery lends great whites a lot of their status as a creature to be afraid of, for we often fear what we do not know.
Well, what do we know? For one, great whites as a species are millions of years old, with a very well-honed set of hunting instincts, and, contrary to a conception gained from watching Jaws, are not bloodthirsty for human flesh.
Current beliefs regarding white shark attacks on humans stem largely from one of two theories.
The first considers the hunting strategy of the white shark. White sharks are ambush predators, meaning that they rapidly attack their prey from a concealed position, often surfacing suddenly and breaching with their prey. When hunting from below, white sharks determine whether what they see is food from the silhouette of the creature above them.
White sharks are believed to give birth, or “pup”, in Southern California coastal waters, where the warmer temperatures and abundance of small prey feed the juveniles, who must learn to hunt on their own. As white sharks grow larger, they migrate north to where larger populations of bigger game are found, such as sea lions and elephant seals.
When are Sharks the Most Active in Southern California?
During the summer and fall months, when Southern California serves as a nursery for the sharks, juvenile whites frequent the coastal waters where they perfect their hunting behaviors. Since they determine their prey from silhouettes, encounters with humans are thought to be cases of mistaken identity.
The second theory stems from white sharks as-yet undetermined territoriality. While white sharks display social hierarchies (the biggest shark gets the best hunting zone), it is currently unknown if they show territorial behavior that could then view humans as an intruding threat.
Great White Sharks Are Rare in Southern California
Still, white shark attacks are extremely rare in Southern California. White sharks are a naturally curious species, and when they approach humans, they are often just checking things out.
This California State University, Long Beach page provides information on white shaeks. A study from the university found that all of the sharks involved acted passively towards humans 100% of the time.
Yet how does this explain the shark attacks that continue to happen, although infrequently?
Why Do Sharks Attack in Southern California?
An explanation that is gaining momentum claims that shark attacks on humans are not caused by mistaken identity nor territoriality, but instead stem from sharks’ curious natures. Sharks are naturally skittish, but they are also curious, a behavioral trait that increases the possibility of finding food when the predator finds itself in ambiguous circumstances.
This study in the Journal of Marine Sciences argues against the mistaken identity theory, claiming that many shark attacks are the result of “exploratory bites”, wherein the sharks take a bite of something that they cannot determine as food.
In attacks where the shark bites multiple times, the motivation could reflect hunting practice or even pattern compensation – where the reaction of a surfer/swimmer leads to aggressive behavior.
Although sharks and shark attacks are a scary thought, it is no reason to not enjoy the beach and ocean. Attacks are rare and the chances of even encountering a shark remain slim.
Although the number of swimmers and surfers in the ocean has increased, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reports that shark-related incidents have not increased proportionately.
How to Protect Yourself Against a Great White Shark in Southern California
The best defense against sharks? Be conscientious and exercise caution. Simply put, use your brain. Double think paddling out at dawn or dusk to a remote offshore reef when the river mouth is broken, or there are pinnipeds around. If there’s been shark sighting, maybe bring a buddy.
Respect the ocean, understand the conditions, and listen to your gut.
コメント