Australia’s ABC News recently interviewed CISRO shark researcher Barry Bruce regarding the string of reported white sharks attacks in Western Australia waters. Bruce points out that while white shark attacks are extremely tragic and are “high profile,” they are still extremely rare. Bruce addresses the issues of the “rogue shark” theory, as well as the practice of culling.

According to Bruce, the likelihood of a rogue shark being involved in multiple attacks is highly unlikely. Bruce also states that while there are areas where sharks will commonly frequent, there is no evidence to suggest that they stalk particular areas in search of humans. He goes on to say that there is no evidence to suggest that a shark who has a attacked a human is any more or less likely to be involved in a future attack on a human. Bruce says the extremely rare nature of shark attacks and the migratory patterns and movements of sharks would make localized culling an ineffective measure for reducing future shark attacks.

In related news, the Sydney Morning Herald has an opinion piece by Christopher Neff on shark hunts as a reactive measure to shark attacks. Neff and Bruce both seem to be in agreement that while shark attacks are terrible and tragic events, attempting to hunt and kill the sharks involved is unlikely to prevent future attacks.

Australia’s Ten News reports that a 21-year-old man was fatally attacked by a shark on Sunday while body-boarding in Bunker Bay. The victim’s friends were able to get him to the beach after the attack, but his injuries proved to be too severe too resuscitate him. Friends described the victim as having a passion for the ocean.

The beach has been closed and spotter planes are being used to search for the shark involved, which is believed to be either a white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) or a bronze whaler (Carcharhinus brachyurus). Ten News reports that some are calling for the shark responsible to be killed, but they went on to say that authorities are not likely to kill the animal.

Friends of the victim made a make-shift memorial to him on the beach using a piece of surfboard.

The National Georgraphic YouTube channel recently added this video featuring photographer Tom Campbell discussing capturing a shot of whale shark (Rhincodon typus) at Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef. Campbell talks about how all the elements came into play just right to capture a “killer shot.”

While this video has been around for a few years on National Geographic’s site, as well as YouTube. This recently uploaded version appears to have significantly higher video quality than some of the past offerings.

The Associated Press have posted this video which is described as a great white shark “terrorizing” fishermen off of Western Australia. The white shark circled the boat and “grabbed the motor,” according to Mark Kik, one of the fisherman aboard the boat.

Perth Now is featuring a special report about Leon Deschamps a “Western Australia conservationist” who can be seen in images and video petting tiger sharks while sitting on the carcass of a whale that the sharks were feeding on. The images and video were shot in Shark Bay. Deschamps said that he hopes the images will help dispel misconceptions about tiger sharks. DeSchamps was quoted as saying…

“Tiger sharks are not aggressive, and I thought the most effective way to demonstrate that would be by throwing ourselves into the middle of a feeding frenzy.

They were sedate in their movements and far from aggressive, despite it being a time when they are supposed to be at their most ferocious. I think they enjoyed the experience.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Environment and Conservation has condemned the act, citing that touching whales was illegal and that interfering with the sharks, is “highly irresponsible and dangerous behaviour.”

Despite Deschamp’s actions in the video and photos, he also warns people to leave sharks alone especially while they are feeding, according to the PerthNow article. Go figure.

While I’m all for raising awareness for RESPONSIBLE shark conservation, I’d have to say that this particular act doesn’t fall anywhere under the responsible umbrella. Attempting to physically interact with any wild animal, while it is feeding, is not a good idea and shows a lack of respect for the animal.

Acts like riding sharks, petting sharks, etc. might be a good way to draw attention to one’s self, but then again, so is robbing a liquor store (another act I strongly discourage). Often times, these kinds of stunts can end up doing more harm than good. There is plenty of footage of divers swimming in the midst of non-aggressive tiger sharks out there. Does climbing on a dead whale carcass and petting sharks really do anything to help dispel myths about the species or is it just a good way gain publicity?

PS The statement made in the video that tiger sharks are scavengers and not predators is utterly false. They are most certainly a predatory shark, in addition to being scavengers. One can’t “dispel myths” by creating new ones.