A surge in shark attacks has been attributed to the actions of social media influencers who engage with the predators. Experts suggest that these attacks occur when sharks are provoked, such as when they are poked or prodded by enthusiastic tourists. This conclusion follows a recent incident where a swimmer was attacked in the Mediterranean Sea near Hadera, Israel.
Professor Eric Clua from Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) University in France, who led the research, cautioned against influencers promoting interactions with sharks as harmless conservation efforts. Despite the tragic incident in Hadera, where the swimmer was attacked, influencers like Ciara, Bella Thorne, Zac Efron, and Will Smith have shared their encounters with sharks on social media.
Professor Clua highlighted that humans often take liberties with sharks, especially smaller species, unlike how they would behave around an unfamiliar dog. He emphasized the misconceptions surrounding shark attacks, pointing out that sharks cause fewer than ten human deaths annually worldwide, whereas dogs are responsible for over 10,000 deaths each year.
The perception of sharks as dangerous creatures is largely influenced by popular films rather than scientific facts, according to Prof Clua. He emphasized that sharks only display aggressive behavior towards humans when provoked.
Some social media accounts feature videos of divers handling sharks, garnering a large following. While conservationist Ocean Ramsey views these interactions as rare moments of connection, scientists like David Shiffman have criticized such actions, cautioning against risky behavior with wild predators like sharks.
A recent study examined shark encounters in French Polynesia from 2009 to 2023, revealing that a small percentage of shark bites were defensive reactions to perceived threats from humans. The study also analyzed a global database of shark attacks dating back to the 1800s, identifying over 300 incidents where sharks acted defensively.
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