My Fox Tampa Bay recently released two video segments about shark attacks, which seem to be in response to Wednesday’s attack at St. Pete Beach involving 19-year old, Jenna James. Kudos to the producers and reporters involved with these segments for taking the high road and reporting the facts of shark attack odds and stressing awareness as opposed to fear when it comes to sharks and swimming in the ocean.

The reports are full of information intended to help viewers understand sharks and why “attacks” and “encounters” with humans occur. The segments also touch on how the fictional shark in Jaws is responsible for a lot of the unwarranted fears about sharks and shark attacks.

The rarity of shark attacks is illustrated by pointing out that if you live in the state of Florida, you’re more like to be stuck by lightning four times (where did they get that from, anyway?) or win the lottery, than be attacked by a shark. To top it off, in the second segment, the anchorman even maintains his professionalism both leading into the segment and closing it out. (Some of the “big name” cable news networks should hire this guy to train some of their anchors when it comes to reports about sharks.)

Tampa’s Fox 13 gets two thumbs up from me for responsible reporting in response to this week shark attack.

Holden Beach, NC & St. Pete Beach, FL

The Star News Online is reporting that Julia Anne Mittleberg, a 26-year old woman, was bitten on the foot by a shark on Wednesday (July 22, 2009). Mittleberg was in 3-4′ of water at Holden Beach, NC when the attack occurred. According to the report, the hospital has confirmed she is in “good condition”.

In other shark attack news, ABC Action News, is reporting that Jenna James, a 19-year-old female, was also bit by a shark on Wednesday (July 22, 2009) while swimming at St. Pete Beach, FL. James was bitten above the knee and did not see the shark, but the wound is said to be consistent with a shark bite. Her injuries are said to not be life-threatening but she underwent surgery, according to the report.

Fortunately, it sounds like both victims will fully recover from their injuries. While these events are almost certainly life-altering experiences, in the respect that the victims will never forget their ordeal, they bring up the question of why shark bites are “newsworthy” as compared to the numerous other animal-associated injuries that people receive on a daily basis. Last month, a friend of mine ended up in the E.R. after accidentally stepping on a stingray in South Carolina. I’ve known multiple people who have ended up needing medical attention (in a few cases, serious injuries occurred) due to dog bites. I’ve known people who have ended up in the E.R. due to bee stings. Yet, none of these incidents made it to the news.

"We're not worthy!" (or at least not newsworthy)

Why does every single shark attack end up making headlines? I can think of two reasons right off the top of my head.

1. Shark attacks are so rare that any time one occurs, it makes the headlines.
2. People have a genuine fascination with sharks as compared to other animals (a lot of it due to misplaced fear, unfortunately).

The irony of the sharks attack being so rare that it makes them newsworthy is that this gives the impression in the media that all sharks do is attack people. Reports of shark attacks make up a major source of information about sharks that we see in the mainstream media. The fact that news anchors and reporters like to sensationalize any event involving a shark doesn’t really help to dispel the impression that sharks are out there attacking people all the time. The fascination and “fear-factor” element is likely the driving force behind these sensational reporting tactics (along with some ignorance on the part of reporters).  At the end of the day ratings and money are going to drive what’s being reported, and for some reason shark attack stories sell.