Often when people go swimming at the beach, they are afraid of the possible risk of shark attacks. However, are these fears reasonable, or do people mistakenly believe that shark attacks worldwide are much more prevalent than they truly are? In this project, we will conduct an observational study to examine data on non-fatal unprovoked shark attacks that occurred globally in 2015. The data we will be examining comes from the Shark Attack Database which uses the Global Shark Attack File (GSAF), a spreadsheet of human/shark interactions compiled by the Shark Research Institute. This data is important because it will evaluate whether shark attacks worldwide are a common occurrence or are relatively rare.
There are no outliers below the lower fence, however there are 15 outliers that fall above the upper fence: the United States, which had 1,476 shark attacks, Australia, which had 633, South Africa, which had 297, Papua New Guinea, which had 63, Brazil, which had 56, New Zealand, which had 55, Unknown, which had 44, The Bahamas, which had 64, Mexico,
…show more content…
The IQR is 7 shark attacks. The median number of shark attacks worldwide was 2 shark attacks. There are several abnormalities in the distribution of the data such as a tail starting from approximately 100 shark attacks and ending at approximately 1500 shark attacks. This indicates that the countries with these number of shark attacks in 2015 are potential outliers (discussed in detail above). There are also several gaps in the distribution. They occurred at approximately 100 to 250 attacks, 450 to 600 attacks, and 750 to 1,300 attacks. This shows that generally, shark attacks were a relatively infrequent occurrence worldwide in 2015 and they only occurred at “high” frequencies, which are really not all that high, in a very small number of
the drum- lines program with hooks like needles is working even though sometimes it’s a false call but it is keeping every one safe so far. In my opinion, I think that the main reason there is shark attacks because of crowded beaches. I think that because there is so many people in the water that you can’t sea your surroundings.
However, the fact is, and statistics prove that over 100 million sharks are killed every year (according to the Sea Shepherd website), all around the world and for what reason? Shark culling and the hunting of sharks as a solution to beach safety has not been well received by the Australian public. Whilst it is very clear that we need a solution to protect our bathers and surfers, the Herald Sun reported that 82 percent of all respondents to their
We all know that there are much bigger threats in the world today. Should we be worried about people's fault of going into the sharks territories? O...
The film Sharkwater is a documentary directed and produced by Rob Stewart. Rob is an underwater photographer and a biologist that has a fascination with sharks, and their behavioral aspects. His way of studying these creatures he is able to learn about life and how to survive on this earth. This film showed the characteristics of reflexive documentary, this is because of the attention drawn into the sharks, their behaviors, and how we are affecting them. A statement that really stuck the documentary is people are taught their whole entire lives that sharks are dangerous but when you finally see it underwater your whole life can change in a flash. Rob made a very valid point as well, which is believed to be his thesis statement.
But occasionally the younger sharks are preyed on by bigger sharks that do not necessarily have to be Bull sharks they can be become prey to any larger species of shark and occasionally a crocodile. However there are parasites like Pandarus sinuatus, and Periscopus dentatus that use the surface of the shark’s skin and use it to survive (Curtis). Though that does not in anyway decrease or increase the economic uses for the bull shark, its effects on the environment, or level of danger to humans. In certain places around the world the amount of bull sharks is decreasing slightly, because sharks can be harvested to make fish food, for their meat, for oils, and their fins for shark fin soup, or in asia their skin can be used to make “good leather” (“Bullshark”; Curtis). Even though their numbers are thought to be decreasing according to the International Shark Attack Files, otherwise known as the ISAF, has reported that there have been at least 70 reported unprovoked attacks on humans of which 17 were fatal, but that is only the known number of the reported attacks by bull sharks there most likely have been many more attacks that went unreported (“Bullshark”; Curtis). They are known for being one of “the most dangerous sharks in the world” because they along side the tiger shark,and great white they are the most common sharks to attack a human
The bull shark may be responsible for many shark attacks in the world but I believe that we have no right to kill them. Sharks are very important to animals food cycles and if the food cycles get messed up it can greatly effect the world. In fact, the bull shark is more vulnerable to human impact due to their ability to live in fresh and salt water but many sharks that are killed are for either shark fin soup or their liver oil. The sharks liver oil has many uses now but it started as a machine lubricant. Another way that sharks die is by recreational fishing. The sharks can get caught up in the fishermen's nets and eventually suffocate and die. As an environmental community, I feel like we need to inform people about shark habits and how to keep sharks safe. The water is their home and we are
Sharks live in almost every part of the oceans, from coastal environments to deep-sea habitats. They also live in the warm waters of the tropics to the cold frigid waters of
If 9/11 did not happen, the summer of the shark would have been the top story of the year. “In the year 2001, five people died in 76 shark attacks. However, just a year earlier, 12 people had died in 85 attacks. The data showed that 2001 actually was a down year for shark attacks.” (Meyer, 2012) Although the number of attacks was slightly down, but after the attack of a young boy off the Florida coast sparked interest from a journalist. “Jessie Arbogast, an eight-year-old boy who had his arm bitten off by a bull shark in July near Pensacola, Florida. He survived after his uncle wrestled the shark to shore and pulled Jessie's arm out of its gullet. The arm was surgically reattached, but Jessie sank into a coma, in which he remains, and it was the battle to save his life that first set off the interest of bored journalists looking for a summer theme.” (Cooke, 2001)
Shark nets have been implemented in locations across the world in response to shark sightings and attacks. Nets are submerged beneath the surface of the water, roughly 200 metres from the shoreline. The meshing is designed to be large to capture sharks, leaving them to struggle before eventually drowning under the weight of their own body. The meshing allows small fish to pass through, however captures larger fish and marine species. Shark nets provide no discrimination between common, vulnerable and endangered species, resulting in a high mortality rate for a variety of marine wildlife.
Sharon Guynup says, "Most sharks are harmless,” (“What Do You Know About Sharks?” 872). Over 300 species of sharks are harmless to humans, and the ones that are harmful do not attack often. Peter Benchley states, "Only four [sharks] attack human beings with any frequency," (“Great White Sharks” 890). When people swim, they should not be afraid of being attacked by a shark, especially if the area is not known for shark attacks.
...s. According to studies and statistics done, you are more likely to be struck by lightning than killed by a shark. They are often misinterpreted as scary and violent creatures, however this is merely due to media. Shark based films such as Jaw show that these sharks are harmful when they really aren't. Tapes/recordings of sharks slaughtering humans are published so often because of its actual unusualness.
Sharks kill an average of about 12 humans per year. Humans kill an average of about 11,417 sharks per hour. Unfortunately, that number may not stop growing unless action is taken. Shark slaughter is becoming an ever expanding issue that could have devastating effects if it is not stopped. As a result of a tremendous increase of demand in shark fins in recent years, sharks are being finned and thrown back into the water where they are left to suffer an excruciating death which can take days to occur. Not only is the act cruel, but it also disrupts the natural ecosystem and may cause irreparable damage. Due to all of these effects, shark slaughter needs to be stopped, sooner than later.
In 2015 only 59 shark attacks have occurred around the world compared to the millions of sharks killed by humans every year. Due to these accidental shark attacks people tend to think that sharks, especially Great Whites are evil creatures with malice intentions when attacks do occur; but, on the contrary that is wrong. Sharks are not the only beautiful and unique creatures in the ocean, they also play a vital role in our ecosystem; however, due to human interference they might not be around much longer, through awareness sharks can be protected from endangerment.
Thesis: Sharks should be conserved because they are an important part of the ocean, attacks are often incidental, and human behavior influences the behavior of sharks.
Hundreds of people, who get in the ocean every year, are almost none that encounter sharks. Even if you're lucky enough to see a shark big enough to bite you, you're much likely to die from a heart attack than getting bit by one. Shark attacks are mistakes and the idea of a shark off every beach waiting for people to come in the water is completely untrue. I will inform you on the background knowledge of sharks and the reasons why humans should not be afraid only aware.