Here’s why sharks attack surfers

Although shark attacks against humans are very rare, each one expresses its pain and fear. A scientific study released this Wednesday helps us understand why surfers can become targets.

“In the view of the white shark, neither movement nor shape allows for a clear visual distinction between pinnipets (seals, sea lions …) and humans,” explained researchers at the University of Macquarie (Australia). Whose works have been published In a review of the Royal Society. They therefore support the thesis “Identification error to explain some bites”.

Scientists began to observe that the main culprits of the attacks were white sharks, tigers and bulldogs (which actually affects surfers the most), which certainly have the ability to detect odors and sounds over long distances, but mainly use their sight. On their prey, when they are in its vicinity.

The shark looks very bad

What the problem presents is that the shark almost does not perceive color and perceives very little of the details of a shape. Its visual acuity, which is six times lower than that of humans, is even worse in young specimens of white sharks, which are at greater risk. Bites browsers.

So the scientists created a system that mimicked the visual structure of the shark and used it to play videos taken at the bottom of the pond. At a height of a few meters from the hunter, they first filmed images of a fur seal and sea lion moving on the surface of the water, then comparing them to swimmers and surfers and following the same path. They created the passages by paddling only by hand, and then by the feet. Three types of surfboard were used: shortboard, longboard and hybrid.

Sea lion and surfer, same signals

The signals that the young shark sees, be it a pinnipet, a swimming or a surf paddle, seemed almost indistinguishable. The researchers noted that the difference in seawater must be more complex compared to the bed used for the experiment, which provided better vision.

The study also found that the shape of a sea lion or seal with folded fins like a swimmer or surfer on a small board is more likely than one of these prey with extended fins. Therefore, the researchers pointed out that they are now trying to find out “whether a change in the possible visual signals of prey would be a better technique for protection against white sharks”.

Until then it is better to avoid everyone To swim Or browse high-risk areas, especially when elements affect visibility from the bottom of the water (such as dark, cloudy water). It is good to remember that shark attacks are very rare around the world (no more than 60 by 2020).