In Australia and California they are seeing a sharp increase in shark attacks, and there have been many theories as to why this is occurring. A prominent Australian marine biologist believes that sharks may now be actually targeting humans as a source of food.
Dr Scoresby Shepherd believes that over fishing has caused a decline in the numbers of fish such as tuna that have previously made up a large part of the sharks’ diets. And what happens when a shark can’t eat what he wants? He eats something else. From the interview:
My speculation is that if the natural prey is decreasing, then they're more likely to be hungrier than they were before. And so they may be well be turning their attention to whatever else is available.Perhaps it’s even more insidious than that. Perhaps the sharks are cognizant of the fact that we’re responsible for the decline in their favorite foods and are doing what they can to eliminate their competition. Gun-toting dolphins don’t sound like such a bad idea now, do they?
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1 comment:
I don't buy it.
Sharks (as are most animals) are pre-programmed to eat certain things. There is no "logic" behind it.
Besides, as far as I know, sharks aren't actually EATING people, they're just BITING people. And even if one shark ate one person, is this guy implying that they're holding Shark Meetings to discuss possible food sources? Did that one shark send out a memo?
Sharks that eat tuna are not the same sharks that bite swimmers, anyway. Have you ever seen a tuna? An animal that is large enough to eat a tuna is way too big to be swimming up to beaches, a la Jaws.
But I agree we're overfishing the oceans. Eat a nice tasty cow instead.
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