Sharks may not be responsible for human bite that is rare as we assumed. In the study released today, scientists confirm that at least some sharks should be considered as a form of self -defense.
Marine biologists from France are research leaders. Published In the border in the conservation science After analyzing the shark bite data from around the world, they expect about 5% of the shark bite on humans, it is protected instead of a shark that tries to capture the next meal. The results of the research should help report the effort to prevent shark bite.
The ERIC CLUA researchers at Sharks at PSL University were inspired to consider the topic by observing he did during his field study in French Polynesia.
He often heard about a systematic fisherman who was stuck in the fish without knowing it. Sometimes these sharks bite fishermen if they are not successful in killing animals. In addition, he heard the report of the shark unintentionally. Spearfishermen Under the water where sharks seem to attack just because they want fishermen to stay away from their victims.
“In a close inspection, the opportunity to simulate the defense mechanism that is described in the study confirmed to humans and not responsible for sharks in this type of accident,” Clua told GizModo in email.
The researchers analyzed the data from the first bite shark in France, Polynesia – especially the events with some information about the possible motivation behind the bite between 2009 to 2023, a 74 shark shark recorded in the area. These four of these 5% of all tends to be inspired by self -defense, researchers found.
Clua and his team, then pass the information from Shark attacks around the worldWhich has a document of nearly 7,000 sharks bites since the year 1863. They checked the provocative bite that involves people near the shark. Once again, about 5% of the bite they studied. -322. Overall, found the criteria for self -defense.
These criteria include sharks that bite immediately after human actions, that is, or may be seen as aggressive and repeated bite, but leaves the wounds superficial and is not dangerous. The conflict of defensive shark bite may be in vain compared to the actions of humans that lead them, such as a severe shark biting humans to try to return to the water. But this disorderedness may be a sign of the despair of sharks that will survive at any price according to the Clua.
“The results of this study show that sharks are as eligible as any animals or humans to protect themselves when their survival falls at risk,” he said.
When revealing many motivation behind the shark, the team hopes to prevent it from the beginning. People should not interact with or approach sharks, such as even if they are not dangerous or seem to be in danger. And in general, you should be in the group of at least two people when swimming in a shark, which can reduce the risk of attacks that eat other animals sustainably. Which is different from some hunters. Clua added to remain no Distinguish sharks that eat other animals from attacks, so you should try to protect yourself if the worst situation occurs.
At the same time, researchers know that in general, sharks are afraid of humans. As a result, shark bites are not good and they do not die when compared to the interaction between other animals.
Only 88 bite sharks Recorded around the world in 2024 And relevant deaths such as On the other hand Hippo evaluation To attack at least 500 people per year and the number of deaths will be more curly when you consider the disease spread by certain animals (caused by mosquitoes malaria Alone killing more than half a million people each year), so while it is important to practice good safety in the waters that may have sharks. (Including reporters) should not be at risk of being at the beginning
“In addition to reducing the number of bite on the field, we hope that one of our important effects is to change the vision and attitude of reporters by suggesting that they will look closely.
The team planning to study other types of sharks, such as “Exploration”-The bite that is driven by a shark may bite humans to test whether they are the right victims or not.