Scientists reveal best way to avoid a shark attack

Daily Mail​

25-04-2025

Since the release of Jaws in 1975, many people have been terrified of sharks.
Scientists have revealed the best way to avoid a shark attack.
Despite their fearsome reputation, there are only around 100 shark bites per year - roughly 10 per cent of which are fatal.
Sharks may bite for a multitude of reasons, ranging from competition and being territorial to predation.
Now, an international team of researchers found that there might be an additional, little-discussed motivator causing sharks to bite.
It might sound unlikely, but the animals may also bite due to self-defense, experts say.
So, while it might sound obvious, if you want to avoid a shark attack, simply leave sharks alone - even if they look like they're in distress.
Dr Eric Clua, a shark specialist and researcher at Université PSL, said: 'We show that defensive bites by sharks on humans - a reaction to initial human aggression - are a reality and that the animal should not be considered responsible or at fault when they occur.
'These bites are simply a manifestation of survival instinct, and the responsibility for the incident needs to be reversed.'
He said that self-defense bites are in response to human action that is, or perceived to be, aggressive.
This can include during obvious activities such as spear fishing - but a human merely intruding their space could be enough.
'Do not interact physically with a shark, even if it appears harmless or is in distress,' Dr Clua said.
'It may at any moment consider this to be an aggression and react accordingly.
'These are potentially dangerous animals, and not touching them is not only wise, but also a sign of the respect we owe them.'
Some species of coastal shark, such as the grey reef shark, are both particularly territorial and bold enough to come into contact with humans.
When sharks strike in self-defense, they might use disproportionate force and may deliver greater harm than is threatened, he explained.
'We need to consider the not very intuitive idea that sharks are very cautious towards humans and are generally afraid of them,' he said.
'The sharks' disproportionate reaction probably is the immediate mobilization of their survival instinct.
'It is highly improbable that they would integrate revenge into their behaviour and remain above all pragmatic about their survival.'
Figures show that in 2024, just 47 people were hurt in unprovoked shark attacks – the lowest level in almost 30 years.
This included four deaths, during a year experts deemed 'an exceptionally calm year for shark bites'.
The majority of these bites happened in the U.S., with 28 attacks recorded across six states.
Half of the country's shark attacks happened in Florida, where the long coastline and warm water make it more likely people and sharks will come into contact.
Elsewhere, Australia recorded nine shark bites, while 10 other territories recorded one bite each.
Meanwhile, in the average year, humans kill tens of millions of sharks.