Once a year, the Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" takes over the cultural consciousness, and we're all reacquainted with our old toothy friends from the deep. Recently, however, there have been some objections bubbling underneath the surface from scientists and actual shark experts who don't appreciate the sensationalized and sometimes all-out fictionalized depictions of sharks and their threat to humans.
But here's the thing. Sharks are dangerous. And as few and far between as shark attacks are, people who frequent shark-occupied beaches — whether on surfboard or in boat — need to be aware of the danger. This also applies to establishments such as hotels that line shark-frequented coastlines.
As it turns out, there is some truth behind Shark Week's exaggerations.
Shark truths
Every year, for 27 years, the Discovery Channel has used Shark Week as a way to bring in viewers during the summer television down time. This year, according to CNN, Shark Week actually broke records — despite the growing dissent of the scientific community.
Still, there are nuggets of truth that can be pulled from the often campy programming that brought us such moments as the mockumentary "Shark of Darkness: Wrath of Submarine."
For one, shark attacks are starting to spread — and to weird places. As ominous as that sounds, frequent swimmers and boaters should know that it is indeed true.
According to the New York Post, shark attacks are starting to show up in areas where there were once few, if any, shark attacks at all. For examples, the Post notes that places like South Carolina, Hawaii and California "have returned to infamy after a particularly poor past few years." But there are some places that are just flat out strange, such as rivers and the Eastern seaboard.
Just this June, fisherman Steve Fernandez caught a baby great white shark while its 600-pound mother circled off in the distance. According to Fernandez’s report, his group wasn't that far away from New York's 116th Street.
"We were close enough that we could still see the colors of the bathing suits of the people on the beach," he told the Post.
Similarly in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay, recent analysis by the National Association of Shark Teaching and Education has led scientists to the realization that the sea's perfect predator may be around to stay.
"Last year was a real eye-opener," great white scientist Martin Rediehcs told the Newport News Daily Press. "Not to sound alarmist, but people should just get used to the idea of having these amazingly fierce and extraordinarily effective predators with rows of razor-sharp teeth and insatiable appetites hanging out with them, so to speak, in the bay. Get used to it."
All this means is that there are now more people than ever who have to be aware that they are sharing beach waters with these predators. Businesses such as beach-front hotels should also be vigilant on being aware of shark activity so they can warn and inform guests of any potential danger.
Safety tips
Now that we understand the real, nonsensationalized threat of an apparently expanding shark population, what should we do?
To be fair — and despite what Shark Week's slash-fest depiction of marine life may have you believe — the risk of a shark attack is still small. However, it never hurts to minimize any risks when there's a possibility of shark interaction.
According to the Florida Museum of Natural History's website on sharks, the chances of having an interaction with a shark can be reduced if one heeds the following advice:
- Always stay in groups since sharks are more likely to attack a solitary individual.
- Do not wander too far from shore — this isolates an individual and additionally places one far away from assistance.
- Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight hours when sharks are most active and have a competitive sensory advantage.
- Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating — a shark's olfactory ability is acute.
- Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged because the reflected light resembles the sheen of fish scales.
- Avoid waters with known effluents or sewage and those being used by sport or commercial fisherman, especially if there are signs of bait fishes or feeding activity. Diving seabirds are good indicators of such action.
- Sightings of porpoises do not indicate the absence of sharks — both often eat the same food items.
- Use extra caution when waters are murky and avoid uneven tanning and bright-colored clothing — sharks see contrast particularly well.
- Refrain from excess splashing and do not allow pets in the water because of their erratic movements.
- Exercise caution when occupying the area between sandbars or near steep drop-offs — these are favorite hangouts for sharks.
Misinformation aside, Shark Week is mostly meant to be fun, if not slightly informational. But if there's one thing the week-long exploration of teeth and fins gets right, it's that if any human gets caught in a one-on-one with the ocean's greatest predator, the shark is going to win.
So it's best to just give sharks as much space and respect as possible.
