Sharks- Friends or Foes?

Tony Foglia

We all know the movie Jaws, but has the blockbuster made us misconceive the actions and intentions of sharks? Should we really fear/demonize the supposed "monsters" in our seas? Not all types of sharks are likely to attack. In fact, there are very few species that are a danger.

Vicious Killer or Misunderstood Predator?

Sharks are fascinating creatures and amazing to watch in the wild. People have misconceptions about sharks, however. They are not violent killers of men; they are the alpha of an ecosystem. Would anyone call a man with a bow and a hunter's permit a bloodthirsty monster? Not likely. Sharks have a purpose in the ecosystem and prey that keeps this system in check. Sharks are beautiful creatures that set the tone of the oceans. They are clearly the top dog and alpha leaders of the world's waters.

Influence of Jaws

Steven Spielberg's Jaws, while a truly fascinating and entertaining film, has definitely impacted the world's view of sharks since its release in 1975. Most people began to view sharks as mindless killers and started to fear their kind following the blockbuster hit. For many that had never encountered sharks before this was the overwhelming image in their mind; a giant that kills indiscriminately. On the flip side of this negative image, scientists have taken a greater interest in sharks and their preservation since the film's release.

Truth about Sharks

Sharks are apex predators. They keep the ecosystem healthy. One of sharks main food sources are sea turtles. They keep sea turtle populations in check to prevent the overheating of seagrass. Sharks also help reduce carbon dioxide due to their large bodies and migration habits. Sharks have very important roles in the world and are not here just to munch on everything for the sake of killing.

Chances of Attack

The chances of being killed by a shark is around 1 in 3 million. About 10 people are killed off by sharks per year. More people have died from vending machines with a total of 13 people per year. Even jellyfish kill more people than sharks with 40 deaths per year by jellyfish. You are more likely to be killed by a cow than a shark. This shows that sharks are not as dangerous as one may think.

How Do Locals Feel about Sharks?

Although I live in a town surrounded by water, there is little chance of seeing any large shark here. However, just a few miles from here is a different story. Many people around these parts fish for a living, hence, many have seen sharks. Others, however, may not have ever even been on a boat. I conducted a survey that asked local Greenport residents 59.1% feel that sharks are not monsters and deserve more respect. However, 9.1% feel they are a threat and 31.8% are neutral.

Only Three Types of Sharks are Likely to Attack

There are only three sharks that are likely to bite occasionally. The bull shark ,which is known as the most aggressive shark which can live in both salt and freshwater. Then there are the tiger shark and the great white shark. Due to their massive bodies, they can easily mistake a person for food and bite out of curiosity or provoke. But other than those three most sharks are not likely to attack.