Why Are they Shooting Sharks in Australia ?

[captain58sailin]

While I cannot quote the research or the author, I once heard that humans are not part of the natural shark board of fare, and they do not target humans as food. There was some thoughts about the shark attacks off of Monterray, CA, were because from below surfers resemble seals. From what I have seen the juvenile great white sharks, tend to target fish, where the adults are more of an equal opportunity consumer. If you are in the shark's world then you have to follow the rules of that world, if you do not, it is at your own peril. No different than the rules of the ocean, or grizzly bears. We humans suffer from the hubris of believing that all others must give way to us at all times, and that is simply not the reality.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by bobconnie

My only knowlage of Whites thinking is "IM HUNGRY" it seems every one Ive seen in the last 50+ yrs of cruiseing many shark thick places is Eating or trying to !! so I know they think at least one thing DINNER !! LOL thats enough for me to know !! I have a habit of leaveing a place that has to many sharks to be comfortable in the water swimming or diveing! just a old sailors fear I guess

Yep, that's my philosophy. You just never know if the sharks got the "dont feed on humans memo"! Wild animals are WILD! (Just ask a couple tiger show tamers in Vegas)

[Sailor g]

Originally Posted by bobconnie

My only knowlage of Whites thinking is "IM HUNGRY" it seems every one Ive seen in the last 50+ yrs of cruiseing many shark thick places is Eating or trying to !! so I know they think at least one thing DINNER !! LOL thats enough for me to know !! I have a habit of leaveing a place that has to many sharks to be comfortable in the water swimming or diveing! just a old sailors fear I guess

I think it's an instinctual fear & normal to have a fear of something that can kill or do major league harm to you. While I don't think sharks normally consider humans as food-they do bite to test if its edible which can kill.

I've had the hairs on the back of my neck stand while scuba diving in kelp off Catalina Island where Great White sharks visit. It didn't help we had to paddle fast toward shore & slide out on rocks on our bellies like a sea lion at Sea World! I would move too- I like being on top of the food chain!

[captain58sailin]

I don't believe we are at the top of the food chain. We have opposable thumbs and can fashion weapons, and a larger than average brain capacity, though some don't use it. We are certainly not the strongest, or fastest, without our tools we are incredibly puny. One on one in the water with no help, my money is on the shark.

[rgscpat]

I'd also bet a fiver on an Orca.

Silly story:

A cruising boat wrecked on a reef, with some of the crew injured. They knew that if one of them could get to land, they could walk to a village and seek rescue, but were afraid to swim past the sharks in the lagoon. Eventually a volunteer tried, but the injured man was attacked and killed by sharks.

Another crew member who was a lawyer agreed to swim, for a contingency fee. Amazingly, as he crossed the lagoon he was not only left alone by the sharks, but they actually escorted him in formation until he safely reached land.

Later, after the rest of the crew had been rescued and paid the lawyer he revealed his secret of survival: "I gave them my card. Professional courtesy."

[anjou]

Gentlemen .................Ive read this thread for the first time and am dismayed by your collective attitude to one another and to the role of sharks in nature

Apart from the rivalry banter and insults to one another, you are displaying the typical male attitude to a situation, which as men, you feel must be controled by force, hence the calls to shoot bomb and kill sharks.

More people die in car crashes in a day worldwide than are killed by sharks in 10 years. Get that in perspective for a start

We are intelligent enough by now to realise the impact humanity has had on this planet and the ballance of life is delicate and important for all our lives.

Sharks play the vital role in natural selection and without them at the top of the oceanic food chain, the health of other species will decline, and as a result we all suffer.

Gentlemen, please think before you comment, and at least TRY to look intelligent.

[rgscpat]

She's right. Instead of directing all this hostility toward the sharks, we should shoot and bomb the cars. After all, when's the last time anyone has been able to blame sharks for a big chunk of global warming?

Seriously, there have been several posters who have expressed understanding of the shark's importance and role in nature, and many others who have identified potential problems with humans doing things that may be altering the sharks' natural habits--to the detriment of both.

[downunder]

4 shark attacks in West Australia since Sept 2011 certainly raises shark attack as an issue in WA.

Not sure what solution is. It is also difficult to take a solution or non solution seriously from those who are not farmilar with the area or have not dived in the area. Great Whites are quite different beasts to most other sharks.

cheers

[dirkdig]

In Victoria last year we had 287 road deaths, I drive everyday and surf when I can.
I think when your numbers up great whites are unlikely to be your biggest concern,unless of course you have one smiling at you!

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by downunder

...
Not sure what solution is. It is also difficult to take a solution or non solution seriously from those who are not farmilar with the area or have not dived in the area. Great Whites are quite different beasts to most other sharks.

cheers

After thinking it over for awhile, Anjou is right, male force is clearly not the answer; maybe she might pop over and have a quiet word with them on our behalf.

[Sailor g]

Originally Posted by captain58sailin

I don't believe we are at the top of the food chain. We have opposable thumbs and can fashion weapons, and a larger than average brain capacity, though some don't use it. We are certainly not the strongest, or fastest, without our tools we are incredibly puny. One on one in the water with no help, my money is on the shark.

Sorry but no bet. My $ is on the shark too. Weapons have put us on top. I agree we have used them out of fear in the past on animals we didn't understand-like the shark. I was one of the first on the thread to question if they could even get the right shark. I was only responding to bobandconnies comment about preferring not to swim with them.

I also prefer to avoid swimming in areas with certain species of shark because I don't take weapons in to dive. I know the odds are on the shark & those odds rise greatly in certain areas when we go in their habitat. It's not the odds-it's that instinct that causes the fear. And that music that plays in my head!

Gloria

[hellosailor]

From the Darwinian point of view, if you don't understand something, kill it and eat it. That's not always the best reaction, but since it usually ensures that the thing you don't understand won't kill and eat you first--it's the right thing to do.

Shark's got more teeth than I do, and I have no idea if what it is going to do on a week from next Tuesday. Therefore, I kill it and eat it before it can do the same to me. That guarantees my survival. Anything else, does not.

Anyone with a better guarantee is welcome to explain it to the surfers who get mistaken for seals. As Dr. Phil might say "And how's that workin' for ya?"

[David M]

Why? ....because sharks don't shoot back which makes the shooters cowards.

[Wand]

Originally Posted by anjou

More people die in car crashes in a day worldwide than are killed by sharks in 10 years. Get that in perspective for a start.

Maybe there's a few more drivers than divers?

[Blue Crab]

People, get a grip. Sharks, even white pointers, are not out to get us. They come thru my area. It's a thrill to see them. I hear. I haven't had the pleasure.