Do sharks really 'infest' waters?

[8thElementDiver]

I usually appreciate the journalism of the BBC, and their article about the missing divers who were found after an 18-hour search on the Great Barrier Reef seemed well balanced. Nowhere does the article mention sharks.

But the caption to the accompanying video states, "Couple rescued from shark infested waters after 20 hours".
See the article here: BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Great Barrier Reef divers found

My dictionary gives two definitions for 'infest':
1. to overrun a place in large numbers and become threatening, harmful, or unpleasant.
2. to live as a parasite on or in something.

'Shark-infested waters' makes as much sense to me as 'human-infested London'.

Perhaps we should email the BBC to protest their illogical adjective (and remind them that 'shark-infested waters' needs the hypen). You can send them your complaint from this link:
NewsWatch | Contact us | BBC News website feedback

Tell them we expect better from the BBC.

 

[Eau_Girl]

But the caption to the accompanying video states, "Couple rescued from shark infested waters after 20 hours".

I just saw the BBC report as well. I had the same reaction as you! It seems very sensationalist and disappointing coming from the BBC! :no

 

[Garrobo]

I think that definition #1 got it right whether you are a shark freak or not.

 

[dpbishop]

Shark's don't "infest" waters.. Divers, on the other hand....

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

Lord Here We Go!

It looks like where I need to dive next! From reports from divers I know down under, TGBR doesn't have near the shark populations that it used to. Good job press core!

Shark lover!
Carolyn:sharks:

 

[Hank49]

I saw something on the Discovery channel a while back about a slaughter house dumping blood and waste into the sea in Brazil, I believe. It was believed to have been the cause of a much higher than normal human/shark interaction and attacks in that area. Infestation?

 

[ScubaSarus]

No. But by those definitions, it appears humans do.

 

[seaducer]

It really boils down to pop culture, and popular meaning. If someone says sahrk infested they mean that there are alot of sharks there, but are not really reffering to the definition of the term.

Ofcourse in almost all media cases it is sensationalism that sells copy, and so terms like shark infested are attractive to "journalists".

 

[Boxcar Overkill]

One person's "shark-infested waters" is another person's "amazing pelagic dive site!"

 

[dive_lover88]

you mean like women infesting a mall which is having a great sale?