The Dorsal Fin

CBS12, this is not an award for outstanding journalism.

Another media outlet has their own great white shark related report regarding yesterday’s tragic attack off of Stuart, Florida. This one is has an even more misrepresentative headline than the Palm Beach Post “report” from earlier today. CBS12.com features a story with the headline, Expert: Great White Shark could have been behind fatal attack. The report features statements from Gary Gross, a biology professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, who is quoted as saying, “Great whites in our area are very uncommon. They are mostly in deep waters where it’s colder. There has never been an attack here by a white shark.” In fact, the only other mention of white sharks by Professor Gross in the report deals with large sharks mistaking a kite surfer for a turtle, in which Gross is quoted as saying such a scenario is a “white shark situation.” However, Gross goes on to speculate that the attacking shark was “likely a bull shark.” (Currently, there is also no evidence to support or oppose the theory that the sharks involved in the attack were bull sharks.)

CBS12 really seems to be stretching things here. The headline suggests that Gross has indicated that he believes a white shark could be behind yesterday’s attack. However, the statements from Gross within the article suggest that he does not think that great white sharks were involved. Perhaps, a more representative headline would have read, Expert: Highly unlikely great white shark involved in attack. Of course, that might not draw nearly as much attention. It seems that media outlets have realized that great white sharks seem to draw more attention than other shark species, and the mass number of stories running with the great white shark theory (which isn’t backed up by any evidence in this particular case) just goes to show that sometimes the number of viewers/readers a story draws can overshadow truly objective reporting.

At the end of the day experts weighing in on the species involved or not involved is still nothing more than speculation, until some more details and evidence regarding the attack is available.

The Herald Sun is reporting that a South African man disappeared after being attacked by a shark off the coast of Port St. Johns. Witnesses reported seeing the man waving his hands frantically before disappearing under the water, leaving only a cloud of blood behind. The victim’s surfboard washed ashore and was retrieved, according to John Costello at the National Sea Rescue Institute. The NSRI are investigating the disappearance but no signs of the victim have turned up. The species involved can not be identified, since there are no bite marks to analyze. This is the second attack at the popular South African beach this year, according to the Herald Sun report. In January, a 26-year old lifeguard was fatally attacked by a bull shark.

According to The Northern Star, a surfer survived what is being reported to be a shark bite near Evans Head in New South Wales, Australia. According to the article, Nigel Hughes was surfing on Sunday morning when he felt a strike to his foot, as he was pushing himself up to stand on his board. He sustained an injury to his big toe but was able to catch a wave into shore where friends helped him to a car, wrapped his foot in a towel, and took him to a hospital. Hughes appeared to be in good spirits while awaiting surgery and said the injury would make his holiday a memorable one. He also said that he "definitely" plans on getting back in the water. Hughes did not see the shark and was not willing to speculate on what species it might be.

While Hughes was not willing to speculate, it did not slow the article’s author down from noting that Hughes’ injury occurred in “known Great White territory.” However, the article also includes quotes from a local fishing boat operator, Mick McGilvray, who speculated that the species responsible for Hughes’ injuries was most likely either a bull shark or a bronze whaler. McGilvray also said the offending shark would have been no bigger than 2m in length. Apparently, speculation is good filler when facts are sparse. Regardless of speculation, here’s to a speedy recovery for Mr. Hughes.