That being said, I'm currently going through a book called "Unbroken" which is the (true) biography of a WWII bomber crew who survived floating in a raft. One of the major and CONSTANT threats was sharks. To the point that they couldn't be in the water without immediate attack by sharks. And that this was the general fear of many WWII flight crews of being in the ocean.
It's as if the sharks of the WWII era are different species than those of modern day recreational scuba diving.
Something is not jiving here. Anyone know what the deal is?
For one they were on the surface which is where the sharks like to feed. Second is they hace dramaticly declined in numbers thanks in part to over fishing, shark finning, people killing them for no other reason at all then fear and enjoyment and last but not least entanglement in fishing net and human trash that's been discarded into the ocean. They have come close to listing several species of sharks as endangered.
In many places people simply could not get into the water without seeing a shark now they only exist in those locations in the memories of the older generations.
In addition to this I would add the following:
Firstly, we know so much more about sharks now. Yes if you are floating in a raft in tropical waters you will undoubtedly see sharks, but that does not mean you are on their menu. Many people in the past, and still to this day assume anytime they see a shark their lives are in imminent danger, and this is simply not true.
Second, back in those days it was common for ships of any type to throw trash overboard. This conditioned sharks to follow ships and instantly grab whatever hit the water, which is you if your boat is sinking.
Third, ditching an airplane is not a gentle procedure, and these men were more than likely hurt, leaking bodily fluids etc. and that will of course generate more interest in predators.
Some things to consider about sharks, and this can apply to many other predators as well:
Sharks are cautious hunters, because often prey animals can be somewhat formidable themselves. Getting seriously injured is not ever on the shark's plan. People in scuba gear present a large threatening profile. In addition we are making noise that is foreign to them.
Most species are specialized feeders. Some only eat bottom creatures for example. Most are fish eaters of one sort or another. We do not look or smell or move like anything those species would consider food, avoid threatening the shark and you are never going to get bitten by them.
People are most at risk in the surf zone, especially at dusk or when the water is very murky. If you look at the motions your hands and feet make when playing in the water, and take into consideration the contrast between the darker top side and lighter underside, you can appreciate how a shark might mistake your hand or foot for a fluttering fish and take a quick nip at it. Bull sharks for example are coastal species, spend most of their lives in the same areas people swim, and even travel up rivers. This is why they are implicated in so many attacks.
Sharks that are the most concerning are ones that feed indiscriminantly and/or on prey that is about our size. Tiger sharks and white sharks are two that come to mind. When they are in clear water they are almost never a problem for divers, as we do not resemble prey. What we need to be concerned with in these encounters is that these animals may over-ride their natural cautious nature and come in for a closer look. Sharks do not have hands so naturally they grab with their mouths...bad for us. We can avoid being tested by being somewhat aggressive towards the animal, going so far as to push it away if need be.
This is just a few things. For the most part sharks really are no threat to humans, think of how many billions of people enjoy the water, shark infested waters as well, and how few get bitten.
We can easily limit what risk we do have by not going into the water in certain places and at certain times. I completely disregard all of those precautions, and have my entire life and haven't been bitten. The closest I have come was I was spy hopped by a large female tiger while I was surfing once, and this is the only time I have been afraid.
I have dived with tigers, bulls, nurse, great hammerhead, sand tigers, silkys, black tips, black nosed, zebras, browns and (supposedly) blue and threshers. I didn't see those...:depressed:
I have been in the water with wild sharks, at times with bait in the water, I have seen them surfing, I was bumped skinny dipping at night, and I dive in very close proximity with most of the above species every other Saturday in a confined space. I have been rubbed, tail whipped and even had one bump me with her nose once. I have never been bitten and only rarely felt I was in danger...I do believe those thoughts were in my head, not reality.
Sharks are big scarey creatures, but in reality they are simply animals, and they think and behave like any other. They have a bad rep because people are afraid of things that have big teeth, and things that live in the water, sharks are both. And too be honest people are not really a good judge of what animals to fear, and which ones to simply respect. Ask any pediatrician or ER doc how many kids, how many infants are bitten by the family pooch
Please do not fear them. Respect them certainly, but don't fear them.
