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Global Warming May Contribute to Rising Incidence of Shark Attacks
May 06, 2008 07:00 AM
by
findingDulcinea Staff
The number of fatal shark attacks is rising, and researchers say global warming may be partly to blame.
30-Second Summary
In the first four months of 2008, four fatal shark attacks were reported worldwide, up from just one fatal attack in all of 2007.
The numbers have alarmed beachgoers, and scientists and shark experts are looking for the reason behind the attacks.
Some theorize the cause may be global warming. Warmer waters could mean sharks will turn up in places they haven’t before. The higher temperatures are also more appealing to swimmers and surfers.
“As long as we have an increase in human hours in the water, we will have an increase in shark bites,” cautioned George Burgess, who maintains the International Shark Attack File.
Other factors, such as overfishing, may also be at play. If the sharks’ food supply is reduced too greatly, they could look elsewhere.
Despite recent reports, encounters with sharks are still very rare. The Harvard Center for Risk Analysis reported that a person would have to swim in the ocean 112 times a day to encounter the same danger involved in taking just one trip to the supermarket.
The numbers have alarmed beachgoers, and scientists and shark experts are looking for the reason behind the attacks.
Some theorize the cause may be global warming. Warmer waters could mean sharks will turn up in places they haven’t before. The higher temperatures are also more appealing to swimmers and surfers.
“As long as we have an increase in human hours in the water, we will have an increase in shark bites,” cautioned George Burgess, who maintains the International Shark Attack File.
Other factors, such as overfishing, may also be at play. If the sharks’ food supply is reduced too greatly, they could look elsewhere.
Despite recent reports, encounters with sharks are still very rare. The Harvard Center for Risk Analysis reported that a person would have to swim in the ocean 112 times a day to encounter the same danger involved in taking just one trip to the supermarket.
Headline Link: Shark attacks on the rise
The number of shark attacks on humans has risen in 2008, but experts caution that sharks don’t set out to harm people. Dr. George Burgess, a shark expert, said the animals have a good food supply. “People are not on the menu for sharks,” he explained.
Source: The Guardian
Background: Recent shark encounters
In April 2008, a teenage surfer in New South Wales was killed after being bitten by a large shark. One area fisherman feels that warning signs should be erected to warn swimmers of potential shark danger.
Source: Herald Sun
Shortly after one man was killed by a great white shark near the California coast, another surfer was attacked on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.
Source: Times Online
Related Topic: Global warming and its effect on animals
In 2005, a study commissioned by the British government found that climate change was affecting wildlife. Migratory patters of birds and other animals were changing, breeding habits were altered and some animal habitats were destroyed.
Source: BBC News
Reference: Animal safety while on vacation
Encounters with sharks can be avoided by not swimming alone or in cloudy water. Avoid wearing shiny jewelry, stay out of the water if you have an open wound and don’t swim during feeding times, which happen around twilight and dark hours.
Source: Orlando Sentinel
A man saved his wife from a crocodile attack by poking it in the eyes. Research shows there is an optimum tactic to use whenever wild animals attack.
Source: findingDulcinea
A recent report revealed that sprays were 90 percent effective in 72 bear attacks, outperforming rifles and leaving the bears unharmed.
Source: findingDulcinea
FindingDulcinea's Web Guide to Family Travel includes links to advice for first aid on the road.
Source: findingDulcinea
© 2009 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
