Do you think that sharks are dangerous or do you agree with those ichthyologists when they say that you have more chance to get hit by lightning than attacked by a shark?

Many coastlines along the US have all kinds of sharks going into the shallow waters. During the last hundred years or so, there have been around 200 fatal attacks, I think. Many people who take a swim at some shark-prominent coasts come within ten feet of the great white or some other "man-eating" sharks, as the reports say.

So, is fear of sharks innate, inherent or simply engendered by movies? Or, are ichthyologists right?

Apparently 2,000 people per year are hit by lightning, whereas roughly 200 die by shark attacks (accumulated from years, not just one year). I’d say fear of sharks is mostly propelled by movies, etc. According to good ol’ Wikipedia, only about four species of sharks (of the 300+) have been involved in shark attacks. So, I’d say that fear of being attacked by a shark (any type of shark in general) is more or less generated from movies/books, which then makes it sort of an inherent thing after time (as sharks are tough predators, so people begin to fear them regardless if it’s actually a harmful or harmless shark to humans. >.o). I dunno. Some sharks are dangerous, others aren’t...

Lightning can hit you anywhere, whereas sharks can only get you in the water. Considering how many people swim in shark-infested waters a year is, in comparison to how many people are "under the lightning", in comparison negligible.

My statement of how many people get struck by lightning in comparison to being attacked by sharks was more or less in response to what you said (of what the ichthyologists say), “or do you agree with those ichthyologists when they say that you have more chance to get hit by lightning than attacked by a shark?”

It’s quite apparent that it’s more common to get struck by lightning than get attacked by a shark, considering the circumstances (who usually only attack under provocation). The way I stated that was in perhaps too much of a roundabout way. =).

Well I'd rather go outside when there's thunder than to swim in waters that have sharks swimming around.

Are you trying to argue with fact, Vincent?

It's a dangerous animal but obviously the facts speak for themselves. It's not a epidemic or huge issue to be worried about.

So that means you choose for the bigger chance of fatal injuries?

No, not arguing facts. I agree that they're dangerous, but recently these scientists want to make them seem harmless as they can. It's not...alright. Personally, I get the chills of anything swimming beneath me when I'm far from shore. Some kind of phobia perhaps.

I've seen people outside when there's thunder brooming all my life. Never seen anyone get hit. But I've seen underwater divers with cameras get attacked by sharks plenty of times, so yeah. Needless to say I feel a lot safer if there's thunder outside than if there are sharks in the waters I'm swiming in.

And the statistics are missleading. Swimming in shark infested waters can't be more safe than thunderstorms. Most countries and cities on the planet has thunder storms. So billions of people encounter it every year. Being subject to lightning is a lot more frequent for humans than being near sharks.

Those cameramen are swimming between chunks of meat in the sea where there are hungry man eating white sharks.
Yeah, of course those are being attacked.
I think what the topic is about, is sharks in general. Most sharks are afraid even. I mean, they are blind, so when they see a big shadow in front of them, their first reaction won't be, yummy food.
Besides, they are only attracked by splattering surfaces and blood. If you see a shark underwater and you are not bleeding, small chance he'll attack you. Maybe he'll smell you, but that is about it.
Wasn't it Jessica Alba that knocked a shark on the noggin?
Sure, they can be very dangerous, but I think the shark movies make them look far more dangerous than they are.

*insert jaws tune*

Are you saying science is hyping sharks?

Sort of, yes. They keep saying how beautiful and harmless they are, and how we are mistaken to be afraid of them. Wouldn't be saying that if their limbs were being torn to shreds I imagine. It's rare, but it still happens.

I have the exact same fear, that's why I also would rather face a lightning storm than swim in shark-infested waters. Even though this is unreasonable.

Some sharks are harmless(nurse sharks and Whale Sharks for example). . . we can omit Great Whites from that. Those who were "attacked" by sharks are to said to have only been test biten by the sharks and that sharks don't like the taste of "human meat".

I watched this shark documentary not too long ago, and they said you have more of a chance to be crushed by a vending machine than to be killed by a shark

but then again, I battle a lot more vending machines than sharks

but still. in reality, they're a wild animal, and if you're swimming with them there is always a chance they may attack, no matter how docile they are.

i mean, look at steve irwin (rip)
he was killed by a stingray (?)

which have A LOT less "kill rate" than sharks

yet, it still happens.
just 'cause the chances are low, doesn't mean it's your lucky day

moral of the story, just be careful around wild animals, and know the risks of what you're doing

edit: I think what the science people are trying to say is that, it's not like sharks are ravaging beasts that only think about killing humans. So, they won't attack you with out reason or w/e you know?

look at dogs for example.. you shouldn't be afraid of them imo, but they can/will still attack to you (some of them anyway)

I'm not the biggest fan of deep water and Sharks kind of fall into that category. I try to avoid them as much as possible. I do think they are incredibly dangerous. If you are swimming/acting like there food in there waters, then you probably will get attacked. If you have the proper equipment or are in one of those cages, then I don't think they are terribly dangerous.

I don't know why people go swimming in shark-infested waters or stay out there when you see one. If I ever saw a shark, I'd get to land as soon as possible.

Yes. Sharks are dangerous.

Sharks are wild animals, yes they're dangerous.

Should they prevent you from going to the beach? Not at all.

Should they prevent you from deep sea diving in warmer waters? Yes.

Since you put it that way:

This shark has the potential to swallow you whole even though it only feeds on plankton and other small things.

You guys are right. Sharks really don't kill that many ppl a year. Most sharks are harmless to humans and will only attack if provoked. The few predatory sharks, like the GREAT WHITE, will only usually attack noisy divers and people who are too far out from the beach. A shark bite is so rare and sudden in shallow waters that it's almost always the victim's fault for not following safety protocol.

Sharks get a ##### bad rap from the movies for sure, but they are NOT that scary to swim with. They are mellow creatures that generally keep to themselves until feeding time.

I've heard they're like big puppy dogs. In a way I can kinda see that. They act on instincts. It's like the Crocodile Hunter, Crocs are wicked dangerous, but if you just observe and do your thing, they're pretty docile (unless hungry lol)

Unless hungry? A person would kill you for food, not to mention sharks. Of course it implies when they're hungry, otherwise there's no need for them to attack.

I'm a bit of a beach bum myself, and I've NEVER seen a shark for all the years I've been going to the beach. So, I'm not afraid at all. Jellyfish are what scare the crap out of me because you can't friggin see them!!!!

Anywho, that idiot (I'm guessing this is still the topic of the shark attack in California about a month ago) was swimming over three football (American football) fields away from shore. NOBODY should be swimming that far unsupervised. People who swim the channels and stuff have shark-protecting cages around them. That guy deserved it for being a moron.

I have a better chance of getting attacked by a squirrel than I do a shark! I mean, yeah they are dangerous but they have better things to do with their time then to harm us unless they feel you are invading their domain. For instances, lets say you were in a small, kiddie size pool and sharks were circling you...you probably wouldn't be bitten because you aren't doing anything to them. Now if you go into the big wide ocean and swim a wee bit too far, yes you may get bitten, you have no business being out that far and if you really wanted to swim in 'deep water' go to Hurricane Harbor or something. Sharks are dangerous but you have to put yourself in the position for them to BE dangerous.




HA! Agreed!

Funny a topic like this should come up, there's a movie coming out by (I think) and australian director, he's been making it for quite a few years and it's all about how sharks are not as dangerous as everyone thinks they are. I've yet to see it though myself.

That aside, movies like Jaws or similar shark based horrors and the media feeling a need to post every shark attack across the news headlines doesn't help the shark cause. Simple fact is we are swimming in their home and whilst sharks can smell a trickle of blood from MILES away it's not in their ability to distinguish the local human surfer from a splashing seal. I'm sure if they could tell and knew that for eating that surfer they would be hunted down because it's so obvious the shark is a killing machine on the loose, it would reconsider eating the surfer.

It's no different to someone taking a walk in the bush and getting eaten by a bear or bitten by a snake, you're in their home and so you gotta accept there's a risk you'll be attacked in some way. Sharks are NOT as nearly as dangerous as they are made out to be, i've seen doco's of swimmers HUGGING a shark and it could not have cared less. Probably even needed a hug and was quite appreciative.

I don't see why these mid sized posts are needed. I'll give simple point by point proof that sharks are dangerous.

Sharks have been known to eat people.
If a person is eaten, they die.
Things that kill people are potentially dangerous.
Something that is potentially dangerous is still dangerous.
Sharks are potentially dangerous.

Would you rather go for any old drive...?

Yer so likely to get in a car accident its not even funny...

Sharks are natural predators, not all types of course; but if you're swimming in shark infested waters then there is of course a great chance to be attacked. I know they react violently to blood, so if you cut yourself on a rock, they'll come get you. >_>