The war between sharks and humans has been long, bitterly fought, epically bloody, a subject for literature, film, and art -- and entirely one-sided. Yes, reported shark attacks on humans rose 25 percent in 2010. But that's still just 79 attacks against the entire human population, not all of them ending in casualties -- barely a rounding error. Meanwhile, some shark species unfortunate enough to live near human hunting grounds have declined by 95 to 99 percent just over the last 40 years. Extinction looms like a certain ominous robotic fin.
As shark numbers bottom out, it's worth asking: What keeps this long war going -- and when does it end?
Above, a mako shark is caught by fishermen outside Sydney Harbor in August 2006.
Getty Images



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DELATEST
9:19 PM ET
July 31, 2011
It's A Shame What Mankind Does to Nature
I understand that many individuals are afraid of sharks, and think of them as these man-killers of the sea. News flash!!! ~80 deaths is not even a blip on the radar. We need to stop killing everything in nature and start trying to live harmoniously. Sorry for the rant
Tina
delatest.com
IZO911
7:59 AM ET
August 4, 2011
Stop Killing
Absolutely agree. Please stop killing shark because it can effect to nature balance and also I believe if we plan kindness to the world the world will protect us.
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KYLE STREESEN
7:17 PM ET
August 15, 2011
paralegal certification and sharks
It's not like there's nothing to do with research and good legal work. If a shark attacked you and your have good legal assistants who have paralegal certification by your side, it would be very nice to see them in action, that's for sure. I personally am very afraid of sharks and I know that if I ever get out of such an incident alive, I'll sue anyone I can.
ALEXTOYO
2:24 PM ET
August 27, 2011
stop killing sharks
Totally agreed. You can clearly see in the picture above how the shark looked like it was actually drowning. Imagine if that was you struggling for your life.
These shark killers need to find something better to do. I pray they lose their jobs and work from home instead.
CADILLACTIGHT
9:03 AM ET
August 28, 2011
Poor shark is going to be killed
This world is infected by human kind. We human want to rule every where. Please leave those sharks alone.
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CADILLACTIGHT
1:20 PM ET
August 29, 2011
Yeah its really shame on man kind
Why don't people just leave them alone.
This world is also belong to them or these
creatures also belong to this world. Shame.
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MIHAI15555
2:42 PM ET
August 29, 2011
I Agree with you man ! what
I Agree with you man !
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ONEN
9:31 PM ET
July 31, 2011
Balance
I think nature is all about balance and each of us have our place in nature that we must appreciate. Sharks also deserve to live their life but we have been making the environment difficult for the animals around us and that includes the shark. I tend to agree with delatest. Unfortunately, I don't think this war is going to end. john
ALANNEWMAN
6:03 AM ET
August 27, 2011
I agree that human play a
I agree that human play a major role in this, as in many other things. My friend who works in a local taller insoles company suggests that the number of people dead from the hit of falling coconuts a year are more than shark attack.
My lecturer told me sharks tend to stay more together in a school and hunt together. Human certainly should pay more concern and respect to the animals.
DELIRIUM
1:54 AM ET
August 1, 2011
shark attack slideshow
Ahmedabad does not have a sea shore. Therefore, the photo # 16 in your slide show with ships in the background, allegedly shot in Ahmedabad, could not have been clicked there. Please rectify the error.
P.J. AROON
2:26 PM ET
August 2, 2011
Corrected to Porbandar
The city is actually Porbandar. We've corrected the error. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
--FP copy chief
MATTOS ANDREC
8:54 AM ET
August 1, 2011
Shark attack
Nice post!
ALEXFOX
4:37 PM ET
August 29, 2011
Agreed. iphone 6
Agreed.
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ADAMC7
10:14 PM ET
August 1, 2011
Sharks Soon to be extinct
Seriously we have to stop killing Sharks. they dont deserve this and have just as much rights to live on this planet as humans do. nioxin reviews
Stop the Killing!
KATHRYNJWHITT
11:51 AM ET
August 2, 2011
Shark attack
Well, the truth is sharks are really scary. It is just really sad that we end up having to kill them.
I am fortunate enough not to have encountered any sharks during my Nova Scotia vacations
SAVE THE SHARKS
10:30 AM ET
August 3, 2011
Massacre
It is beyond sad what is happening to the apex predators.
Pew has great information about efforts to save them here:
http://www.pewenvironment.org/news-room/other-resources/the-truth-about-sharks-85899362412
JAMES CLARK
1:53 AM ET
August 5, 2011
Sharks
These guys are killers, i'm seeing lots of shark attacks in the news lately.
MIHAI15555
4:02 PM ET
August 28, 2011
Theat's a big shark ! iphone
Theat's a big shark !
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FABIENDACE
8:46 AM ET
August 5, 2011
Scary
Apparently in another article sharks that I read, there has been a huge rise in shark attacks lately! Not that it should discourage people to visit the beach but just stay alert whenever your there. It's for your own health.
TOBI1
9:04 AM ET
August 9, 2011
Protect Our oceans
I can tell from my own experience how frustrating it is seeing these magnificent creatures disappear. As a scuba diving instructor I used to work in places that used to inhabit many sharks species
We did our best to prevent shark hunting, including boycotting restaurants, talking to local fishermen and educating locals.
But the money offered to them was to good to resist.
I can sadly say I could see their disappearance happen over the time I was there, and along with sharks, other key creatures started to be seen only on rare occasions.
This killing must be stopped, if shark disappear, eco systems start to collapse, and the oceans as we know them will change forever.
PARAZITU
6:54 PM ET
August 30, 2011
Big and nice comment ! Jocuri
Big and nice comment !
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LARAINE SCHUMPERT
5:07 AM ET
August 11, 2011
Shark Attack
I know that
A shark attack is an attack on a human by a shark. Every year around 60 shark attacks are reported worldwide, although death is quite unusual. Despite the relative rarity of shark attacks,
the fear of sharks is a common phenomenon, having been fueled by the occasional instances of serial attacks, such as the Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916,
and by horror fiction and films, such as the Jaws series. Almost all shark experts feel that the danger presented by sharks has been exaggerated,
and even the creator of the Jaws phenomenon, the late Peter Benchley, attempted to dispel the myth of sharks being man-eating monsters in the years before his death.
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AXELBROOK
2:18 PM ET
August 18, 2011
For the billionth time, it
For the billionth time, it was Tina Fey on SNL acting as Palin that said she can see Russia from her house. Typical libtard doesn't know the facts. rio orange How surprising..
KATHRYNJWHITT
12:43 PM ET
August 21, 2011
Seychelles shark attack
A shark's tooth found lodged in the body of tragic honeymooner Ian Redmond is from a Great White, the Sunday Mirror can reveal.
It is news locals and holidaymakers have been fearing – but the Seychelles government is expected to cynically claim it is good for the isles as it means it is “not one of theirs” and may have left the area.
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MODDY
4:36 PM ET
August 21, 2011
Many thanks for your post. I
Many thanks for your post. I would really like to write my opinion that the expense of car insurance varies widely from one scheme to another, simply because there are so many different facets which bring about the overall cost. For example, the make and model of the automobile will have an enormous bearing on the price. A reliable outdated family automobile will have a lower priced premium than the usual flashy expensive car.
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EDDIE847
2:30 PM ET
August 23, 2011
Risk Of Shark Attack
I have read in an article about sharks, there has been a huge rise in shark attacks.
If you wish to avoid becoming shark bait yourself, take particular care if you surf. Surfers were the victims of slightly more than half of the incidents reported in 2010
FANATHIX001
12:41 AM ET
August 24, 2011
Sharks are scary
Sharks may be scary as hell especially if you meet one at the bottom of the ocean with nothing on you but your shirt and pants, but they still deserve to be left alone like all creatures of the planet.
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AYKT36
9:43 AM ET
August 24, 2011
thanks
thanks you admin
PARAZITU
8:11 PM ET
August 30, 2011
Yes, thanks admin for the
Yes, thanks admin for the good article.
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GALLYCIUDAD
8:54 PM ET
August 25, 2011
Let us leave the Sharks Alone
Sharks should not be used for medicines or food. They have a role in maintaining a balance ecosystem. If they become instinct food chain will be disturb and an imbalance ecosystem will occur. Stop killing sharks as they too have the right to live peacefully.Bluetooth Headset Reviews.Let us not be greedy just by using sharks to profit our business.
FANATHIX001
11:41 PM ET
August 25, 2011
Cute sharks
I dunno why buy i had always enjoyed watching sharks swim gracefully in the sea but seeing them eat human beings is a bit scary too. mayweather vs ortiz live stream Now seeing them being hunted for food or for something else that we humans deemed profitable, that is jus sad. ortiz vs mayweather live stream. They don't deserve this at all. Maybe a time will come when there will be no more sharks in sea. What then huh? watch mayweather vs ortiz live stream Will you be able to get them back when they're all gone? The money that you got from selling something from the sharks will be gone in a matter of days but when we loose all sharks, we can't do anything to bring them can we? watch ortiz vs mayweather live stream
DANNYORL
5:02 PM ET
August 26, 2011
These pictures are amazing.
These pictures are amazing. It is a shame that these inhabitants of the oceans are often portrayed as monster. Some great shark watching can be done in Costa Rica.
Danny
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HEIKE213
2:08 AM ET
August 27, 2011
Shark Attack
Pacific islanders once worshipped them, but they're now the sea's most feared predator -- not that they deserve the tag. A look at the complex relationship between humans and sharks. Ahmedabad does not have a sea shore. Therefore, the photo # 16 in your slide show with ships in the background, allegedly shot in Ahmedabad, could not have been clicked there. Please rectify the error. make music online Sharks may be scary as hell especially if you meet one at the bottom of the ocean with nothing on you but your shirt and pants, but they still deserve to be left alone like all creatures of the planet. mayweather vs ortiz live stream watch mayweather vs ortiz live streaming.
KALIN MARK
8:10 AM ET
August 28, 2011
Please stop killing shark
Please stop killing shark because it can effect to nature balance and also I believe if we plan kindness to the world the world will protect us.A look at the complex stavkove kancelarie relationship between humans and sharks. Ahmedabad does not have a sea shore. Therefore, the photo # 16 in your slide show with ships in the background, allegedly shot in Ahmedabad, could not have been clicked there. Please rectify the error. make music online Sharks may be scary as hell especially if you meet one at the bottom of the ocean with nothing on you but your shirt and pants, but they still deserve to be left alone like all creatures of the planet.
CADILLACTIGHT
9:05 AM ET
August 28, 2011
Stoppppppppp
Please leave them alone
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YARINSIZ
11:00 PM ET
August 28, 2011
This killing must be stopped,
This killing must be stopped, if shark disappear, eco systems start to collapse, and the oceans as fragman izle we know them will change forever.
SEIKHOO
3:38 PM ET
August 29, 2011
Shark
Nice information i like it thx.iphone 5 release date
SEIKHOO
3:41 PM ET
August 29, 2011
amazing shark
really this is one of your best things i see,thank you,mehndi designs
PATRICIAMOORE
2:19 AM ET
August 30, 2011
Beautiful Animals That We Must Protect
Seriously we must stop killing Sharks. They don't deserve this and also have as much rights to reside in the world as humans do. Apparently in another article sharks which i read, there's been an enormous increase in shark attacks lately! Not too it will discourage individuals to go to the pips beach but simply take notice once your there.
JENELIYA27
9:31 AM ET
August 30, 2011
Save Sharks
Though sharks attack human and take lives but we have to realize that we must conscious of their extinction.
The no of sharks is decreasing day by day for the greediness of some selfish human.
We must conscious people to save them from the greedy people.
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WILLIAMK
11:04 AM ET
August 30, 2011
Apparently in another article
Apparently in another article sharks that I read, there has been a huge rise in shark attacks lately! Not that it should discourage forfaits iphone people to visit the beach but just stay alert whenever your there.
JOEKING
5:34 AM ET
August 31, 2011
This can be "Man Attack" for Shark
The Shark attack should not be the main focus, as shark can be the real victim. The war between Sharks and Humans has been indeed long. Until today, they still become the most feared predator by human. However, Fear is not the only reason behind the hunting. They have been hunted for medicine, leather, natural anti inflammatory food, and sport. They have something that is very precious for human and highly prized to sell, such as the fin, oils, flesh, skin.
This present moment is the right time to end this war. Shark conservation is one of the ways to protect its population before it vanishes. I heard the Oregon state senate has approved the ban on sale of the shark fin.
HLBAKERNJ
8:57 AM ET
August 31, 2011
Russia's No Swim Zone
Do u not think regional councils have to close places that sharks swim regularly towards the public?? surely they are fully aware that are those areas? The earth residential solar power doesn't fit in with us ONLY, we share it using the a number of other and incredibly beautiful creatures and also the sooner we accept this the earlier everyone is going to be safe interior and exterior water. There has to be many beaches in big Russia where people can swim safely; surely. And Bogdanov, Japanese are experiencing an extremely hard time that belongs to them.
ROBERTO472
8:40 AM ET
September 1, 2011
Sharks in Spain too?
I like to go on holiday to Spain, especially to Mallorca and Eivissa. I didn't see any sharks yet, but is it really safe to swim in the mediterranean sea? I will better have a look before going into the water in the future.
POLITICALLY CORRECT
12:09 PM ET
September 1, 2011
Sad to see them treated negatively
Being Australian I'm too aware of the presence of life threatening animals, from sharks to snakes and spiders; the thing is there are numerous animals around the globe that can end our lives, but im betting there is a higher chance people will slip on a banana peel and die than to die to a shark. Many surfers that have lost limbs aren't detered and continue to surf knowing full well of what can happen. Shark nets and spotting (lifesavers spotting them at beaches) are real assets to not only the survival and peace of us, but also the sharks. Its a precious harmony and i hope sharks stay around forever.
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