Surely the only good shark is a dead one?
Without sharks the ocean would be an entirely different place. Sharks serve an ecological purpose that helps maintaining a healthy balance underwater. To understand the role of sharks, it is more accurate to regard them as ‘culling machines’ rather than ‘killing machines’, just like other apex predators such as lions and tigers. Are all sharks dangerous to humans? Only seven species of shark are known to have attacked humans. These are the Bull, Tiger, Oceanic White Tip, Great White, Blue, Galapagos and Mako. Of all reported attacks only 1% are fatal. Usually, a shark attack is the result of mistaken identity – the shark believing a swimmer, diver or surfer is natural prey, such as a turtle or seal – and that’s why, often after one bite, the victim is rejected by the shark. Remember, more people die every year from bee stings, dog bites, falling coconuts and lightening strikes.
