In the wake of a fatal shack attack yesterday morning in my hometown of Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape, I followed up on a debate that was taking place over the issue on a news24 posting of the event. A certain individual (not to be named) had explicitly stated that the shark was to be blamed for the attack, saying that the shark – and sharks in general – are menacing to our enjoyment of the oceans, which should not be compromised.
Now, being the die-hard-enviro-freak that I am, I took it upon myself to make this person feel as small on this planet as is humanly possible. I was so angry in the moment that I lashed out a full-blooded response, trying to prove to this person that there was no way that their premise for wanting sharks to be culled for their supposed ‘threat’ to humans would stick, at least in the brains of any sane and self-respecting individual. Thankfully, there were a few nature-respecting individuals who joined my side in the debate.
I said things like:
- ‘How can a creature living in its natural environment be considered a menace to a terrestrial being?’
- ‘Nature is simple, it exists for itself; enjoyment is secondary, survival is first. So the shark has every right to have bitten the surfer, it’s a survival instinct.’
My thoughts are simple: why should a predatory mammal have any regard for our enjoyment of their environment? Yes, we have a small right to enjoy the oceans, but the shark doesn’t care about enjoying anything. Enjoyment is our choice. Step into the ocean, and you step into their domain. I’m a surfer myself, I have this respect for them each and every time I paddle out into the water. I’m sure I speak for the majority of the surfing community.
But, after my eco-ego had settled down a bit, I started to think. In the initial moments it was about what would provoke someone to go as far as to think that sharks should be culled for being a ‘menace’ to our species. Thereafter, it was about a bigger picture. I realised how little I knew about what people really thought about sharks, and their increasing numbers on coastlines world wide. At this stage I have many questions for which I have very few answers. But I’m hoping that sharing these questions and raising debate will help to provide some valuable feedback.
I’m aware that there was a predominant school of thought over the issue, not all that long ago, that sharks WERE a real menace to us. Movies were made, people were scared etc…The Great White shark became feared throughout the world. But for as long as I can remember, these sharks have been a protected species. Perhaps this is why I just presumed that the general feeling these days is that sharks, all sharks, deserve to be at the top of the food chain in the oceans. But, as hot-headed and sure as I am about this, I cannot really be sure until I know.
One thing I know is that we, as humans, don’t find ourselves interacting all that often with sharks. We tend to interact with land mammals, and so we’re able to interact with them a lot easier. There are those who love the oceans, and are passionate about marine life. But you probably won’t find the average person saying ‘Oh, yeah, I love sharks, I saw a Great White the other day, we had a moment…’
Get my drift?
Perhaps then this is a reason why some people don’t regard sharks as highly as they do any form of terrestrial life. Originally I thought that these people didn’t matter, that their opinions wouldn’t count in the end. That, if it had to come down to saving sharks, then us nature-lovers would ensure it. But, that’s somehow shallow and naive. People, all people, deserve to be educated about the importance of all eco-systems to our survival. And this could well become an issue of huge importance for marine conservation. With increasing shark numbers, we could well see more attacks, which could well result in pressure on conservation authorities to ‘do something about it’. But that’s my biggest question: what is there to be done? You cannot very easily ‘replace’ anything that’s at the top of the food chain, and I think most people would agree, culling is just not an option.
So, my questions to anyone who wishes to respond are (it’s okay to answer however you feel here, the purpose of this forum is to gain insight, not to judge):
- Would sharks be on your list of species that should be ‘protected’, or do you think it’s us that should be protected from them?
- Are there marine species that you would prioritise being protected over or ahead of sharks?
- Do you believe that there’s anything to be done about increasing numbers of sharks around our coastlines? Is culling a ‘good option’ in your opinion?
- Do you believe that there’s any reason for sharks’ attacks on humans to be ‘provoked?’
My questions have been posed, but my opinion stands: Great White sharks, and all other sharks, are to be respected, and given their rightful chance to thrive in their environment. Simple. We don’t live in the sea. We don’t NEED to be there, they do. Case closed.
Shark Facts:
- The International Shark Attack File, based in Florida U.S.A., has recorded 464 fatal shark attacks (globally) since the year 1580. That’s an average of 1.07 fatal shark attacks each year.
- According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, at least 100,000 sharks are killed each year by humans.
- Great White shark jaws are popular amongst traders, and can fetch up to $15,000 a piece. The Convention on International Trade in Endagered Species has placed Appendix II status on the species, requiring a permit for their trade under all circumstances. The species has also been listed as endagered.
- Of the hundreds of shark species in the oceans, only four have recorded fatal attacks on humans: the white, bull, tiger and oceanic whitetip sharks.
Photo courtesy of Hermanus Backpackers.
