Decades ago a shark attack would automatically result in banner headlines in the nation's newspapers. It was a rare event, but today it merely gets a mention on one of the inside pages. Sharks deaths in Australia took a toll of thirty two lives between 1982 and 2011 - but last year the figures jumped to six deaths in that one year. The reason for this raised figure is unclear.
The Green movement is quick to blame it all on global warming. Perhaps warmer oceans are affecting the great gulf currents that wash by our shores and causing bait fish to congregate close to shore - and this is attracting sharks. Others see a correlation between the return of huge numbers of whales using what is termed the "Humpback Highway " along our shores for their annual migratory travel Whales, seals and Sea Lions are traditional fare for the big sharks - and whale numbers are growing exponentially since the whaling industry contracted to just the Japanese and a handful of other nations.
Shark deaths have certainly triggered a volatile debate between the ecology people and those demanding shark nets and drum lines to kill big sharks that venture close to our beaches. When we swim in the sea we are encroaching on the territory of the shark and as they are at the top of the marine food chain our fisheries would collapse if they were completely eliminated. Many people accept that argument, but still demand a cull to keep our beaches safe.
Having a swim at the beach is still a safe habit - provided we take reasonable precautions. Nobody has ever been killed on an Australian beach when swimming in a patrolled area and remained between the flags overseen by the surf lifesaver movement. The people most at risk are surfers who wait for a wave offshore, particularly if they are alone or in a very small group. It seems to be a fact of life that there is safety in numbers.
Strangely, the majority of surfers accept this situation and those who have had an encounter with a shark - even those who have suffered shark bite injury - are usually keen to get back in the water. They have a philosophical outlook when it comes to sharks and the very conditions that make their sport so enjoyable puts them at most risk of all water users.
For the average swimmer a few simple rules will seriously reduce the risk of becoming a shark victim. Under no circumstances swim at night. A human thrashing about in the water could easily be mistaken for an injured seal by a prowling shark - and in the dark the eyesight of both is far from helpful.
Do not share the water by swimming with dogs. It is known that the swimming action of dogs acts as a signal to sharks and they probably have a sense of smell as well. Avoid swimming on dull, cloudy days and remember what most keen fisherpeople know - that the fish are usually biting well first thing in the morning or towards early evening. Perhaps that meal routine applies to sharks as well.
Despite last years sharp increase in shark attacks, most Australians are at far greater risk driving to the beach than actually getting eaten by a shark. Provided they take reasonable precautions and stick with the patrolled areas their risk drops to near zero. That safety in numbers credo applies, but if they take up the sport of offshore surfing, the risk rises accordingly.
Managing that risk is entirely a matter for each individual !
No comments:
Post a Comment