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Sharks Don't Like Eating People! |
While I was watching the six-o’clock news one night, it was almost certain that something would be said regarding shark attacks. Some stations are going as far as to say that this summer was the summer of the sharks. It is true that the number of shark attacks has increased from previous years but not because of the reasons people would like to believe.
Sharks attack approximately 50 to 75 people each year worldwide. Only about 8 to 12 of those attacks result in a fatality. There are about 350 species of sharks. Eighty percent of those sharks grow to be less than 5 feet and no more than 32 species of sharks have been documented in attacks on humans. Out of those 32 species, only 3 have been classified as being the biggest threat.
Even though the media gives sharks a lot of attention, deaths caused by elephants, bees, crocodiles and lightning are far greater in number. Sharks have not mysteriously become more aggressive in the summer of 2001. They are the same as they were years ago. However, what has changed is that sharks and humans have had more and more interaction with each other.
With so many people vacationing in costal areas, beaches are getting rather crowded. More people at the beach means more people in the water and therefore, there are a lot more chances now than there were before for shark attacks. Also, places that once used to be deserted and away from large populations are now exactly where most everyone would like to go to whether it be on a vacation or a honeymoon. For all we know, these areas might have been resting spots for sharks that have now turned into big tourism spots.
The media has
taken the same couple of shark stories that have happened this summer and
repeated them practically every day making it seem as though sharks are
currently taking over the world. There
have been many news articles that have tried to explain why there have
been more incidents involving sharks this year than in previous years.
Some scientists say that it is due to the warm waters that
hurricane “Flossy” brought to coastal regions.
Others say that there hasn’t been enough food for sharks so they
were forced to look for food elsewhere –meaning our beaches.
On September 3, Weekly World News –which is one of the funniest
tabloids I have ever read- had a cover story stating that Cuba was sending
sharks over to the United States so that they could cause chaos and help
Cuba gain control.
Instead of
whining about not being too afraid to go to any beaches this summer,
people should remember that shark attacks are extremely unlikely, but in
the case that sharks might attack, just remember these few tips.
Don’t go swimming alone and if you see a shark and then it
disappears; leave the water quickly because sharks dive under their prey
in order to achieve a surprise attack.
In addition, don’t swim at night or near areas where there is a
sudden drop-off. If for any
reason you are still a little terrified, just go online and buy an
electronic shark repellent for $799.95. (Plus shipping and handling of
course.)