Have you ever heard the phrase, “shark-infested waters”? Sure, it may be used to warn beachgoers about sharks in the area, but it’s the same as saying “human-infested suburbs”, they live there. The stigma around sharks since Jaws came out is devastating, of course, there were most likely big shark hunts before the movie, but it had a domino effect that caused humans to kill an outrageous amount of sharks. Humans kill more sharks every hour than sharks kill humans in a YEAR. Most of the hunt for sharks is to make shark fin soup, which is used as a status symbol in China but has been allegedly found to contain dangerous levels of mercury.
Many people are also convinced that the megalodon, a prehistoric shark about 3 times bigger than a Great White Shark, still roams the ocean, but this is false. When megalodons were alive, they were the apex predators of shallower regions, not the deep sea where people think they live now. The Meg proposed an artificial layer at the bottom of the Mariana Trench to allow sharks to live that deep, but even then, that’s a completely fictional hypothesis. This shark is extinct, and won’t come back unless there are massive environmental changes.
Another thing to note, a lot of sharks are quite docile. There are exceptions of course, like Tiger Sharks and Great Whites, but most of them bump into people because that’s how they process information. It’s like when a kid puts toys in its mouth but y’know… with more teeth. Sharks have a concentration of sensory organs on their nose that they use to navigate the ocean, and that usually results in needing to brush against something to see what it is directly. Most shark species can be easily redirected, and some species like Lemon Sharks and Nurse Sharks love getting gentle pets on their snouts, it’s adorable how groups of them at a time have been seen swimming around scuba divers just waiting their turn for some good ol’ head pats.
Sharks are incredibly sweet and underrated creatures, but it’s vital to know that they are still dangerous if you aren’t careful. Splashing around or sudden movements in the water might have the shark thinking that you are struggling prey. If you ever see a shark, it is best to swim away slowly and calmly, while keeping the shark in your sights. As mentioned before, direct the shark away from you gently if it approaches by just gently pushing its nose away. If the shark’s movements are slow, then it’s probably just checking you out to see what you are. Should the shark decide to attack, harsh blows to the gills, nose, and eyes are your best chance at survival.
All in all, sharks can be on very different ends of the violence spectrum, but the thing you need to remember is to respect them. Defend yourself only when it’s necessary because if sharks went extinct, the whole world would suffer.
