should we protect our waters from sharks?

Question

now that great white sharks roam our waters would it not be wise for us to protect ourselves against them and have them blown out of the water on sight before they kill us and our children.

so what you are saying is there is no need to build a gun turret at the beach just yet. i thought great white sharks eat people because they could smell the fear from us

Answer 1

We should protct THEM from US and all the pollution etc!

Answer 2

no... they do a very useful job, they're like the vultures of the sea they pick up all the waste..
we should be protecting them, they have survived for over 300 million years and are now facing extinction purely because of us humans.
there are very few truly unprovoked attacks on humans, mostly attacks are a mistake, we splash around and make lots of noise like a wounded seal and so the shark takes a bite. once it realises we are not its intended prey it usually leaves us alone. unfortunately for us, that first exploratory bite is often enough to severely wound or kill us.
Jaws type attacks are extremely rare.
and to answer your question about protection, there is actually evidence that to try and protect the beaches from sharks may actually increase the level of attacks. in one part of south africa they tried beach nets, where the beaches are protected out in the open water by big nets hung just below the surface to the sea floor, creating an area which technically would have no sharks in it. shark attacks actually went up after this was installed, not to mention killing a lot of other harmless wildlife
also, there are many types of shark which are harmless like the basking shark which is a frequent visitor off the shores of britain. creating an atmosphere where people panic and shoot at the sight of a fin cutting through the water would endanger all of these types of shark as well. people would shoot first, identify later. sharks are still a mystery in some respects. there is a type called the megamouth and its harmless to humans, but only around 10 of these fascinating creatures have EVER been seen.
should we exterminate sharks just to make ourselves feel better?
or should we just exercise caution when entering THEIR world?
people with attitudes like yours are the reason some of the most fascinating creatures in the world are sadly disappearing.

Answer 3

There seems to be quite a debate going on now as to the function of sharks. The current idea is that they eat mainly sick fish and perform a useful function. Shark attacks on people can be prevented by not going to where the sharks are i.e. stay out of deep water. A lot depends on the temperature of the water in that the larger sharks inhabit warmer waters.

Answer 4

When you have finished with the sharks why don't you start on the land based animals and insects that can bite or sting. Every creature on this planet has a purpose and does its share in maintaining the eco system. If you have too few of one you will get too many of something else. If you are frightened of sharks stay out of the water. They will equally respect your habitat and stay off the land. Of course, you're human. Some humans want it all for themselves.

Answer 5

About 40 humans per year are killed by sharks.
About 4 million sharks are killed each year.

The worst shark attacks occurred in WWII when the SS Indianapolis was sunk.

300 survivors were killed by sharks during 5 days and 4 nights in the water.

Only a few survivors were rescued.

Sharks are an important part of the ocean's system.

Answer 6

What gives you the right to call them, 'Our Waters'? No-one can own the ocean. If it scares you then don't go into the water!!!!
You need to watch a few less Hollywood fairytales and either watch the Documentary channels or start reading.
Sharks were here long before US and our pathetic need to 'rule the world' and they attack humans only when 'confused'. In the waters around the British Isles your more likely to be stung by Jelly Fish!

As for protecting yourself and children!!!
You are in far more danger from the World's Deadliest predator which isn't a fish, it's a mammal and you only need to look in a mirror to see what one looks like!

Answer 7

You've bought into the movie hype. Watch Shark Week this week on Discovery and you'll get a better idea of what sharks are all about and how important they are to the ocean ecosystem. Great whites need our protection.

Answer 8

I also agree that great whites need protection from us and are terribly misunderstood, but all the other sharks need protection as well. I know it sounds odd, but if all the sharks are removed from the oceans, the rest of the marine life would eventually die as well. If you're interesting in this phenomenon, research it under "top-down predator control".

Answer 9

May be it will be a better idea to designate some areas for bathing and swimming and separate them from the remaining water body with strong wire-mesh so that the shark doesn't come into the designated area and you need not think of blowing them.

They have as much right to live as us!

And it is far more advisable to use your energy for preventing pollution of the water bodies.

Answer 10

No we shouldn't because if we did, that will destroy the life cycle and will result in the excess of other fishes which will then need a lot of plants to eat and that will kinda imbalance the life cycle..
if you think they are eating your kids.. then just dont send 'tm in the water.. most likely surfers are attacked by sharks coz they resemble their prey(seals) from below the water..(just imagin a surfer lying down on board and swimming with hands out !!!

Answer 11

How about you stay out of the water. What do you say the sharks come on to land and kill you and your family before you kill them?

Remember, you're going into their environment, not the other way around. What you're saying doesn't even make sense.