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.

CAPTIONS BY SUZANNE MERKELSON | JULY 29, 2011

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

 

 

Suzanne Merkelson is a web producer at Foreign Policy.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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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