Shark Attacks

[NigelWaring]

In the last couple of years there seem to have been an increase in the number of shark attacks and whale beachings. The following was a professional diver within the harbour, we also had a report recently that the number of sharks caught in the nets around our beaches has doubled. There also seems to be more reports of whales being beached. I often wonder what is causing this, is it pollution, climate change or that humans have reduced the number of fish in the oceans and they are looking for food.


Shark attacks diver in harbor (http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE51A5SJ20090211?feedType=nl&feedName=usoddlyenough)

[Herby]

In regards to the increase of shark numbers in Sydney Harbour:
On the news someone stated that as the harbour became cleaner, the fish population increased. More fish (food) = more sharks.

In my understanding, whales navigate by some sort of magnetic or electrical means. What if the increase in wireless internet and mobile phones is responsible for interfering with this.

[NigelWaring]

I worked in Sydney at the Circular Quay end of George Street. The firms mainframe computer installations were there, at weekends we had problems that were allegedly caused by some device that generated a lot of magnetism related to the Navy submarines. I wonder if this affects the whales.

[Herby]

A friend in Tasmania has noticed that the whales and dolphins beach themselves when there is a cold snap.

[Herby]

On another forum it was mentioned the navy submarines may interfere with whale sonar. So Nigel, maybe it is to do with magnetism.

[GreenBean]

It's true, there have been several conservation vs navy battles about the use of sonar causing harm to whales.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/03/0331_040331_whalesincrisis.html

[GreenBean]

I recently watched an amazing documentary called "Sharkwater," which is now a new release on DVD. It offered a different perspective on sharks to the one that we have traditionally held of a man-eating monster. The young biologist who made the film had befriended some and was actually playing with them, not something you see every day!

Shark populations worldwide are in terrible danger, and the few attacks that do occur are over publicised in a sensationalist manner by the media.

"Myth: Shark Attacks Are Common
Truth: Shark attacks are quite rare.

Despite the media hype, the fact is that sharks do not target humans as the source of a good meal. Occasionally, sharks do mistake humans for their usual food or feel threatened and react to protect themselves, but such incidents are extremely rare.

According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), in 2006, there were 62 confirmed cases of unprovoked shark attacks on humans worldwide. Of these attacks, 4 proved to be fatal. In that same year, there were 39 attacks and no fatalities in the United States.

You have a better chance of dying by a lightning strike, or a dog bite. More children are killed while playing in a beach sand hole that collapses or while being inadvertently left in a closed car on a hot day, than there are people killed by a shark attack. A recent New York Times article sums it up pretty well by saying you have double the chance of dying from a coconut falling on your head. "

Source: http://www.sharksavers.org/content/blogcategory/14/62/

I recommend the documentary to everyone, it was really very good.

[PenelopeB]

In regards to the increase of shark numbers in Sydney Harbour:
On the news someone stated that as the harbour became cleaner, the fish population increased. More fish (food) = more sharks.

In my understanding, whales navigate by some sort of magnetic or electrical means. What if the increase in wireless internet and mobile phones is responsible for interfering with this.


hmmm... you're saying that it's possible that that could be the reason why hundreds of whales and dolphins committed mass suicide?