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In recent days, following the killing of diver Barak Tzach by a sand shark off the coast of Hadera , the topic of shark attacks has gained significant media attention. However, as experts in the field have said, shark attacks are considered quite rare, despite the negative reputation these marine predators have garnered. 1 View gallery ( Photo: Will Falcon, Shutterstock ) In a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Conservation Science, conducted prior to the attack on Tzah, the authors explain that sharks may attack for various reasons, ranging from competition and territorialism to prey perception, but also due to a new motive: self-defense.
"Shark attacks are a defensive mechanism in response to human aggression. Therefore, sharks should not be seen as responsible or guilty for such aggression," explained Dr. Eric Clua, a behavioral ecology expert from the University of Paris for Science and Literature, who is part of the research team.
"These bites are simply an expression of the sharks' survival instinct, which is threatened by humans in their natural environment." In French Polynesia, which consists of several islands in the South Pacific, shark bites have been documented since the early 1940s. Between 2009 and 2023, 74 attacks were recorded, four of which were a direct result of self-defense against human actions that sharks interpret as aggressive (such as spear fishing or attempts to capture the shark).
Typically, there are no early warning signs for attacks, although most bites result in superficial injuries. A similar behavior pattern has been observed among terrestrial predators such as bears and large flightless birds like cassowaries. A dusky shark off the coast of Israel ( Video: Yehuda Zimbris ) "Some species of sharks that swim near the shore, like the gray reef shark, are particularly territorial and bold enough to come into contact with humans," Clua explained.
Therefore, a person encroaching on their territorial space poses a real threat to them and triggers an immediate response. When sharks act out of self-defense, they may use disproportionate force and can cause significant harm. "We need to reconsider the not very intuitive idea that sharks exercise caution toward humans and are generally afraid of them," Clua said.
"The sharks' disproportionate response is likely a result of their survival instinct. The lack of proportionality between primary aggression and self-defense is also common among humans." Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play : https://bit.
ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store : https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv While collecting this data on a global scale is still considered challenging, researchers have begun comparing shark bites, as their classification may be crucial in determining their motives. To this end, they collected data from the Global Shark Attack Files, which contains records of nearly 7,000 shark bites worldwide since 1863.
The researchers found that 322 incidents could have been prevented by self-defense, a figure that aligns with the documentation of bites as a means of self-defense in French Polynesia (around 5% of all cases). This suggests that the observations made there may represent a sample of other cases worldwide. According to the researchers, the best way to avoid a shark bite is to refrain from any activity that could be perceived as aggressive toward these marine predators, including attempts to assist sharks that have washed ashore, as they may be interpreted differently.
"Do not engage in physical interaction with a shark, even if it appears harmless or is in distress. It may perceive this as aggression at any moment and react accordingly," warned Clua. "These are animals that can be dangerous, so keeping a distance from them is not only a wise step but also necessary, as respect for sharks in their marine habitat is essential.
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