Latest news with #SharkAttackFiles
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Influencers are being blamed for a rise in shark attacks
Influencers get a lot of stick these days. The latest thing they're being blamed for: shark attacks. Big Lots stores reopening update: Here's the full list of locations that will open this week This is how it feels at the beginning of the end of the world The kerning on the pope's tomb is a travesty Scientists have noted a recent rise in shark attacks, and according to new research published in the journal Frontiers in Conservation Science, of the 74 recorded bites in the seas around French Polynesia, 5% were assessed as acts of self-defense. Professor Eric Clua of PSL University in France, who led the research, holds social media responsible. 'I don't encourage, as many influencers do on social networks, [people] to cling to a shark's dorsal fin or stroke it, under the pretext of proving that they are harmless,' Clua told The Times. 'The sharks here feel like family,' one such influencer with 111,000 followers wrote in the caption of an Instagram post. In one picture, she is seen grabbing the nose of a shark; in another, she reaches out and gently pushes its nose as it swims toward her. 'Don't get it twisted, the sharks don't give a f*** about me,' she adds in the caption. 'Which absolutely makes me a crazy shark lady.' While they might feel like family, that doesn't mean the sharks consent to being used as props in a social media post—a lesson some people have unfortunately learned the hard way. Earlier this year, a tourist vacationing in the Caribbean was allegedly trying to take a photo of a bull shark swimming in shallow waters when it bit off both her hands. Although sharks are not naturally inclined to bite humans, they are wild predators that will act in self-defense. Researchers examined a global database known as the Shark Attack Files and found more than 300 incidents fitting the same defensive pattern, dating back to the 1800s. Most of these bites involved small and medium-size sharks, including gray reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and nurse sharks. When it comes to great whites, which are more dangerous, humans are generally wise enough to steer clear. 'People know the difference between a [Yorkshire terrier] and a pit bull, whereas they don't know the difference between a blacktip reef shark and a bull shark, which are their marine equivalents,' Clua said. 'They are responsible for fewer than 10 human deaths a year worldwide. Whereas dogs are responsible for more than 10,000 deaths and are perceived positively by the public.' Even using the term 'shark attack' is misleading, researchers argue, as it creates the perception of sharks as aggressors and undermines conservation efforts that rely on public support. Around 100 million sharks are killed annually (about 274,000 per day), targeted for their fins, meat, and as bycatch. As it stands, they have more reason to be scared of you than you have of them. So, if you find yourself swimming alongside a shark, the scientific advice is simple: Look, don't touch. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter: Sign in to access your portfolio
The Independent
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Why scientists are blaming influencers for rise in shark attacks
Social media influencers encouraging travellers to 'stroke' sharks are behind a rise in shark attacks, according to a new study. The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Conservation, analysed records of shark encounters in the seas around French Polynesia and found that of the 74 recorded bites, five per cent were assessed as being defensive, occurring immediately after a human interaction perceived by the shark as threatening. In addition, the team examined a global database known as the Shark Attack Files, which holds data about such incidents dating back to the 1800s. Researchers found that more than 300 incidents fit the same defensive pattern. Professor Eric Clua of PSL University in France, who led the research, claimed that social media was responsible for encouraging people to interact with sharks. 'I don't encourage, as many influencers do on social networks, [people] to cling to a shark's dorsal fin or stroke it, under the pretext of proving that they are harmless and [those people are] supposedly working for their conservation,' he said. 'People know the difference between a [Yorkshire terrier] and a pit bull, whereas they don't know the difference between a blacktip reef shark and a bull shark, which are their marine equivalents,' he told The Times. 'There's an incredibly negative perception bias towards sharks … they are responsible for fewer than ten human deaths a year worldwide, whereas dogs are responsible for more than 10,000 deaths and are perceived positively by the public.' Celebrities who have posted clips of themselves touching sharks include actor Zac Efron, singer Ciara and the actor Bella Thorne. Elsewhere, footage of divers handling sharks has gone viral, with some participants even grasping the nose of tiger sharks – a large apex predator that can grow to over five metres in length. Taylor Cunningham is a social media influencer who posts footage of her swimming with and touching sharks, while conservationist Ocean Ramsay says 'we love to share rare moments of physical connection'. While sharks have long had a fearful reputation, academics say such incidents tend to occur as a result of harangued sharks being poked and prodded by humans. Professor Clua's advice to anyone who finds themselves swimming with a shark is: 'Don't touch.' 'Just look at it. Enjoy its beauty, but remember they are wild animals, predators that can act as predators. It is not only a matter of safety but also of respect.'
The Independent
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Why are influencers being blamed for rise in shark attacks
Social media influencers encouraging travellers to 'stroke' sharks are behind a rise in shark attacks, according to a new study. The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Conservation, analysed records of shark encounters in the seas around French Polynesia and found that of the 74 recorded bites, five per cent were assessed as being defensive, occurring immediately after a human interaction perceived by the shark as threatening. In addition, the team examined a global database known as the Shark Attack Files, which holds data about such incidents dating back to the 1800s. Researchers found that more than 300 incidents fit the same defensive pattern. Professor Eric Clua of PSL University in France, who led the research, claimed that social media was responsible for encouraging people to interact with sharks. 'I don't encourage, as many influencers do on social networks, [people] to cling to a shark's dorsal fin or stroke it, under the pretext of proving that they are harmless and [those people are] supposedly working for their conservation,' he said. 'People know the difference between a [Yorkshire terrier] and a pit bull, whereas they don't know the difference between a blacktip reef shark and a bull shark, which are their marine equivalents,' he told The Times. 'There's an incredibly negative perception bias towards sharks … they are responsible for fewer than ten human deaths a year worldwide, whereas dogs are responsible for more than 10,000 deaths and are perceived positively by the public.' Celebrities who have posted clips of themselves touching sharks include actor Zac Efron, singer Ciara and the actor Bella Thorne. Elsewhere, footage of divers handling sharks has gone viral, with some participants even grasping the nose of tiger sharks – a large apex predator that can grow to over five metres in length. Taylor Cunningham is a social media influencer who posts footage of her swimming with and touching sharks, while conservationist Ocean Ramsay says 'we love to share rare moments of physical connection'. While sharks have long had a fearful reputation, academics say such incidents tend to occur as a result of harangued sharks being poked and prodded by humans. Professor Clua's advice to anyone who finds themselves swimming with a shark is: 'Don't touch.' 'Just look at it. Enjoy its beauty, but remember they are wild animals, predators that can act as predators. It is not only a matter of safety but also of respect.'
The Independent
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Influencers blamed for rise in shark attacks
Social media influencers encouraging travellers to 'stroke' sharks are behind a rise in shark attacks, according to a new study. The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Conservation, analysed records of shark encounters in the seas around French Polynesia and found that of the 74 recorded bites, five per cent were assessed as being defensive, occurring immediately after a human interaction perceived by the shark as threatening. In addition, the team examined a global database known as the Shark Attack Files, which holds data about such incidents dating back to the 1800s. Researchers found that more than 300 incidents fit the same defensive pattern. Professor Eric Clua of PSL University in France, who led the research, claimed that social media was responsible for encouraging people to interact with sharks. 'I don't encourage, as many influencers do on social networks, [people] to cling to a shark's dorsal fin or stroke it, under the pretext of proving that they are harmless and [those people are] supposedly working for their conservation,' he said. 'People know the difference between a [Yorkshire terrier] and a pit bull, whereas they don't know the difference between a blacktip reef shark and a bull shark, which are their marine equivalents,' he told The Times. 'There's an incredibly negative perception bias towards sharks … they are responsible for fewer than ten human deaths a year worldwide, whereas dogs are responsible for more than 10,000 deaths and are perceived positively by the public.' Celebrities who have posted clips of themselves touching sharks include actor Zac Efron, singer Ciara and the actor Bella Thorne. Elsewhere, footage of divers handling sharks has gone viral, with some participants even grasping the nose of tiger sharks – a large apex predator that can grow to over five metres in length. Taylor Cunningham is a social media influencer who posts footage of her swimming with and touching sharks, while conservationist Ocean Ramsay says 'we love to share rare moments of physical connection'. While sharks have long had a fearful reputation, academics say such incidents tend to occur as a result of harangued sharks being poked and prodded by humans. Professor Clua's advice to anyone who finds themselves swimming with a shark is: 'Don't touch.' 'Just look at it. Enjoy its beauty, but remember they are wild animals, predators that can act as predators. It is not only a matter of safety but also of respect.'
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Experts Warn Influencer Behavior May Be Leading to More Shark Attacks
Like tapping the glass on a fish tank, influencers are getting a little too bold with wild sharks—pushing boundaries in the predators' own territory. And despite Hollywood's killer-shark narrative, researchers say many so-called attacks are just defensive moves. The sharks didn't sign up to be part of anyone's viral stunt. According to a new study in Frontiers in Conservation Science, French scientists say the spike in shark attacks isn't random—it's fueled by selfie-chasing influencers egging tourists on to pet the ocean's cold-blooded predators. 'I don't encourage, as many influencers do on social networks, [people] to cling to a shark's dorsal fin or stroke it, under the pretext of proving that they are harmless,' lead researcher Professor Eric Clua of PSL University in Paris, France, told The Times of London. To examine the cause of recent shark attacks, Professor Clua and his team examined records of encounters off the coast of French Polynesia between 2009 and 2023. They found that of the 74 bites recorded during this period—most of which were from smaller and medium-sized sharks—around 5 percent were likely to have been the result of sharks acting out in defense. Clua pointed out that these defensive bites often happened without warning and usually involved multiple quick bites, typically leaving only minor injuries, and superficial wounds. A deeper dive into the Shark Attack Files—a global database dating back to the 1800s—uncovered over 300 similar incidents driven by self-defense. In the study researchers focused on bites linked to activities that might put people in proximity to sharks and were classified as 'provoked.' This showed that 322 bite events could have been motivated by self-defense, which coincides with the 5 percent of self-defense bites that were recorded in French Polynesia. Scientists believe that these observations might be transferable to the rest of the world. While experts like Clua, work to prevent more attacks, sharing messages like "these are potentially dangerous animals, and not touching them is not only wise, but also a sign of the respect we owe them.' Influencers continue to produce content that encourages contact with sharks. Popular Instagrammer Ocean Ramsey is an example of the behavior Clua and his team are discouraging. The influencer is one the more controversial figures in the shark encounter scene, and regularly posts close footage and offers tips on avoiding contact with tiger sharks—like minimizing splashing and staying upright in the water. In a previous post Ramsey shared her deep admiration for sharks. "I want to help people to overcome their fear of sharks, so they will help protect them, but a high healthy level of respect while working in water with them should remain with a constant awareness of their behavior and proximity," she said to justify her close interaction with sharks. Another influencer and wildlife photographer Taylor Cunningham is often pictured touching the nose of a tiger shark off of Hawaii. 'The sharks here feel like family,' the self-proclaimed 'crazy shark lady' and went on to say "It's an unrequited love. I know this is a one way relationship. But I can't help but be attached." As mentioned in The New York Post, the study comes just two months after a Canadian tourist lost both her hands after getting bitten by a 6-foot shark that she was trying to take a photo with in Turks and Caicos. Earlier this month, Barak Tzach, 40, a father of four who was killed while trying to film sharks in the water off Hadera, Israel. However, it's unclear in either case if the victims touched or fed the predators. For context, approximately 100 million sharks are killed annually. This translates to roughly 274,000 sharks per day. The primary drivers of this high mortality rate include shark finning, bycatch in fishing nets, and targeted fishing for sharks and other marine life, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). With that in mind, the odds are sharks are at higher risks of getting killed daily than humans are likely to encounter a shark attack. During an interview with The Times, and in addition to reducing the number of such bites in the field, Clua made his message clear. "We hope that one of the major effects of our study will be to modify the vision and attitude of journalists by suggesting that they take a closer look at the conditions in which bites occur, without systematically blaming the animals, but rather making humans more responsible, Clua said.
