For years people have been instilled with the fear of sharks being bloodthirsty animals with a taste for human flesh. They believe this is the reason as to why shark attacks on humans is seemingly on a yearly basis.
Conversely, scientists have argued against this theory. Statistics show sharks do not prefer to feed on humans, because if that were the truth, then almost all shark attacks would result in fatalities.
Opening statement....or scientific fact... When historians surveyed shark attacks of the 20th century, they found that only 8 out of the 108 attacks that occurred along the Pacific Coast during that time had resulted in fatalities. When you consider the number of humans in the water during that 100 year period, you realize that deadly strikes are very rare.
Humans vs Great White Sharks. Summer of 2018, Cape Cod saw it's first shark attack fatality in over 82 years. In 1936, a rising High School Senior was swimming with a friend off Mattapoisett at Hollywood Beach. They were swimming in 10 - 15 feet of water. The boy suffered bite wounds all over and later died at the hospital due to blood loss. In September 2018, a 26 year old man was bitten while out boogie boarding at Newcomb Hallow beach in Wellfleet. He also later died from his wounds after efforts were made by beachgoers and emergency personnel. Both of these deaths as well as other recent attacks are concerning. However, as a shark is unable to decipher the difference between a seal or a human who's shape appears in the murky green water of Massachusetts, these attacks may be a sharks way of testing if it is a desired prey. There is no evidence of sharks eating humans.
Defense you may call your first witness. Questioning the marine biologists collectively the theory stands that sharks don't like the taste of human flesh. That they have no intention of consuming as food. Then why do these apex predators seemingly keep attacking humans? Answer is quite simple. This is the shark's normal and naturally curious behavior. The reason that White sharks, tiger sharks, and bull sharks attack humans, is simply due to the fact that they're designed to attack large living prey at the surface. Majority of these "attacks" are simply test bites. In order for the sharks to feel out their prey, and figure out if it's worth the meal. More often than not, Great Whites will spit humans out. Reason believed is because humans are so bony. Great Whites have very slow digestive tracts; Therefore, if they eat something less than optimal, it slows down their digestive tract for days. This also makes them selective about what they eat.
Great Whites have six highly refined senses of smell, hearing, touch, taste, sight and electromagnetism. The most acute being smell. If there was a single drop of blood in 10 billion drops of water - they would smell it. Great Whites external ears are small openings behind and above the eyes. The sense the tiniest vibration. Great Whites have excellent vision. Similar to cats, Great Whites can adapt from day vision to night vision. However, they uniquely can roll it's eye backwards in the socket when feeling threatened or attacking.
Victim profile. 5' 11" long slender shape, flippers, dark shadow, slight splashing sounds.....Attacks on divers and surfers in wet suits are believed by marine biologists and conservationists as mistaking the humans for pinnipeds (seals and sea lions). Seals are Great Whites main prey. Sharks are extremely curious by nature. The approach most attacks on humans varies very different then attacks on seals. With human attacks, the Great White tends to come at the victim on the surface, allowing its presence to be known. Once the shark bites the victim, the animal realizes its mistake, it releases the victim and swims away.
When a shark attacks a seal, there is the attack from below and by surprise approach taken. Sharks tend to come up from the depth and breach with the seal in its jaws. Very different from the majority of human attacks.
Judgment is for Sense and sensibility. Whenever I enter the water SCUBA diving off of the North Shore of Massachusetts or free diving on the Cape, I make sure to not wear anything that could appeal to a shark's curiosity, such as a black wetsuit or bright fins which can capture the sharks attentions. There are multiple precautions divers, surfers, and beach goers should take before entering the water. This, after all, is the home of the apex predator.
The following rules should be followed when heading to the ocean:
1) Stay in groups and do not wander away from your companions, since sharks are more likely to attack individuals.
2) Avoid being in the water during early morning and late afternoon, since sharks actively feed at those times.
3) Never go into the water if you are bleeding, even if the cut or injury is minor. Sharks possess very keen senses, and blood could attract one from several feet away.
4) Don't wear shiny jewelry when in the water. The glisten mimics fish-scale sheen and visually labels you as shark prey.
5) Stay away from sport or commercial fishermen when in the water, as their catches could attract sharks.
6) Avoid wearing brightly colored clothing in murky waters, since sharks easily perceive color contrasts.
7) Refrain from excessive splashing, which could mimic the movements of injured or disoriented prey fish and animals.
8) Sandbars, steep drop-offs and estuary inlets tend to be shark hangouts, so avoid swimming in these places.
Ruling: mistrial.
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