There has been a reise in shark attacks in the rest of the world vs. the United States here is the link to the reasons why.
Go to: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/travelnews/2012/02/120210-shark-attacks-deaths-fatalities-science/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ng%2FNews%2FNews_Main+%28National+Geographic+News+-+Main%29
If the link does not work by clicking on it, ( it is quite long), copy and paste it.
Reasons for attacks
Sharks are apex predators in their environment[20>, and thus have little fear of any creature they cross paths with. Like most sophisticated hunters, they are curious when they encounter something unusual in their territories. Lacking any limbs with sensitive digits such as hands or feet, the only way they can explore an object or organism is to bite it; these bites are known as exploratory bites[21>. Generally, shark bites are exploratory, and the animal will swim away after one bite[21>. For example, exploratory bites on surfers are thought to be caused by the shark mistaking the surfer for the shape of prey[22>. Nonetheless, a single bite can grievously injure a human if the animal involved is a powerful predator like a great white or tiger shark[23>.
Despite a few rare exceptions[24> [25>, it has been concluded that feeding is not a reason sharks attack humans; as stated on Howstuffworks.com, "Humans are not on the menu. In fact, humans don't provide enough high-fat meat for sharks, which need a lot of energy to power their large, muscular bodies"[22>.
Sharks normally make one swift attack and then retreat to wait for the victim to die or exhaust itself before returning to feed. This protects the shark from injury from a wounded and aggressive target; however, it also allows humans time to get out of the water and survive[26>. Shark attacks may also occur due to territorial reasons or as dominance over another shark species, resulting in an attack[27>.
Sharks are equipped with sensory organs called the Ampullae of Lorenzini that detect the electricity generated by muscle movement[28>; another theory is that the shark's electrical receptors, which pick up movement, pick up the wounded signals of fish from someone who is fishing or spearfishing, and thus attack the person by mistake[27>. Great white sharks can also smell blood in saltwater, even at a ratio of 0.16 oz per 3.3 cu. ft (5 ml per 1 m3).
George Burgess, director of the International Shark Attack File, said the following regarding why people are attacked: "Attacks are basically an odds game based on how many hours you are in the water"[29>.
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Prevention
While there is no way to completely eliminate the possibility of a shark attack when you are in the water, one may take precautions such as:[30>:
avoiding the water at dawn, dusk, or night, when sharks tend to feed;
avoiding areas where sharks generally locate themselves, such as murky waters and steep drop-offs
avoiding swimming alone, always being near a group of people, and if possible, avoiding being at the edge of the group;
refraining from excess splashing or movement;
preventing pets from entering the water;
avoiding shiny jewelry, tan lines and/or bright clothing, all of which can attract sharks;
avoiding entering water if bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating;
avoiding areas where the remains of fish have been discarded into the water, such as near fishermen cleaning their catch.
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Now the answer to the full body tan. Studies have found that wearing gray in the water makes you look seal like in color. Avoid wearing water gear that has gray in the body and a contrasting color on the arms. Another study found that people having contrasting tan lines were also at a higher risk of a shark mistaking a person for their normal prey. Therefore, True Nudists, when people ask you why you sun in the all together, you can tell them you are protecting yourself from shark attack.
Peter
Don't be shark bait.
Replies
- JA
JackNeilsonAug 3, 2010Interesting illustration of human surfer, sea turtle and sea lion. A good and concise report on causes and prevention also. Well done.
ReactReply - RO
RoosterockAug 3, 2010Very well done and I hope it saves a lot of lives.
ReactReply - MA
macnudeAug 3, 2010Another good reason to be a nudist. Thanks!
ReactReply - MEMemberOriginal PosterAug 4, 2010[quote]well done... just have to add. more ppl die from bee stings than sharks.[/quote] LOL, Exactly true. More time spent around bees than sharks. Thanks, I will write about my experience with hornets.ReactReply
- PH
PhilfreeeukAug 4, 2010Great thread Rock.
ReactReply - MEMemberAug 4, 2010
Peter, thank you for the tips on how not to be shark bait.
My husband has been insisting on watching "Shark Week". I am now terrified to go in to the water. Any water. Won't even go in the silly little 12'x3' blow up pool. (Yes...there was a shark in it. Stupid kids and their toys!)
3 weeks ago friends of ours invited us for an afternoon and evening on their boat in LI sound. It was wonderful swimming at night, the water was clear, the phosphorous was glowing - twinkling like underwater fireflies. They invited us again. I've been googling "shark sightings/attacks in LI Sound".
I'm being unreasonable, I know.
Jen
ReactReply - CD
Cheri Donna DawsonAug 4, 2010Interesting comparisons. No way would I be caught on a surfboard. I'm a good swimmer, but I have poor coordination.
I am well aware of bee stings - I'm allergic
ReactReply - RORoosterockAug 4, 2010
Does anyone think it may get worse with the oil spill killing so much life in the gulf.
ReactReply - NJ
njmikeAug 4, 2010Good post, rock. Out there in the ocean, humans drop a bit on the food chain. Taking some of the advice you presented helps. Then again, if the shark is really hungry, better hope your affairs are in order. Depending on your location, even swimming in lakes can be dangerous. It was not too long ago a woman swimming in a lake at a Florida nudist resort (forget which one) was attacked by an alligator. Afterwards, she was quoted as saying form now on she'll confine her swimming to a pool. Good idea - but will never hurt to check in there first too!
MikeReactReply - JAJackNeilsonAug 5, 2010
Bump
I only swim in a fresh water lake which is free from predators.ReactReply - NJnjmikeAug 5, 2010
Jack - you are a wise man!
ReactReply - TH
ThomasAug 5, 2010[quote]Bump I only swim in a fresh water lake which is free from predators.[/quote] Not all fresh water lakes are free of predators. I have seen alligators in Texas lakes. They also have water moccasins in them and they are aggressive and highly poisenous snakes. A friend in Oklahoma would often find snapping turtles in her pool, so even pools are not completely safe. On the bright side, I have been swimming in lakes as well as the Gulf of Mexico all my life and have never had a problem.ReactReply - JA
jasonAug 5, 2010very true, not all freshwater bodies of water are free from predators, even up here in ohio thousands of miles from normal gator abodes.
a couples of weeks ago a guy fishing in a local lake caught a young gator and said he saw the mama gator in the near vicinity.
and this past week end a young girl caught a pacu(breed of piranah) while fishing off a boatdock at local chain of lakes.ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonAug 5, 2010
Fortunately the lake at our club is predator free. We don't have venomous snakes in this area or alligators. Our apex predator is the hawk and our only snakes are small garter snakes, black rat snakes, and water snakes, all of which are extremely shy and seldom seen. Except for one large black rat snake which crosses the road each morning and returns each evening (creature of habit) I have seen only one water snake and that was in May when the club was fairly quiet. With a larger number of people using the beach and swimming area the water snakes seem to have moved out to quieter parts of the lake.
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonAug 6, 2010
Bump
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonAug 9, 2010
Its still swimming time of the year
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonAug 9, 2010
I don't expect to encounter a shark where I live but for those of you who live near oceans take a look at the illustrations and see just how much you can look like prey.
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonAug 9, 2010
Bump
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonAug 10, 2010
bump
ReactReply - RORoosterockAug 10, 2010
bump
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonAug 11, 2010
bump
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonAug 11, 2010
again
ReactReply - CO
Curt, or CowboySep 17, 2010There is danger in life, whether swimming with fishes, or crossing the street.
I was once sailing the Bahamas with a friend.
Some miles out to sea, I was swimming in the perfectly clear, 80 degree F water, near the boat.
Nice time.
My friend told me to come aboard now. I said no, I was OK and felt fine.
He said GET OUT OF THE WATER !
In that tone, I knew not what why, but I knew not to question.
Back on deck, he pointed down into the water.
There, swimming lazily, maybe 5, maybe 25 feet below, was a school of about a dozen hammer heads.
I don't know if they are an aggressive breed or not, but don't really care.
Apparently, I have swam with sharks, and survived !
( and I'm not a lawyer, so it wasn't "professional courtesy" )ReactReply - THThomasFeb 6, 2011[quote]There is danger in life, whether swimming with fishes, or crossing the street. I was once sailing the Bahamas with a friend. Some miles out to sea, I was swimming in the perfectly clear, 80 degree F water, near the boat. Nice time. My friend told me to come aboard now. I said no, I was OK and felt fine. He said GET OUT OF THE WATER ! In that tone, I knew not what why, but I knew not to question. Back on deck, he pointed down into the water. There, swimming lazily, maybe 5, maybe 25 feet below, was a school of about a dozen hammer heads. I don't know if they are an aggressive breed or not, but don't really care. Apparently, I have swam with sharks, and survived ! ( and I'm not a lawyer, so it wasn't "professional courtesy" )[/quote] LOL on the lawyer. Hammerhead sharks are not as aggressive as Great White or Tiger sharks, but are still fairly aggressive. They have poor eyesight, so mainly feed based on blood scent or erratic swimming which they take to be injured prey. I have never swum with sharks, but have with barracuda. I wish I could find the pictures I took of the ones I swam with in Cozumel years ago.ReactReply