Posted by scubagirl on April 25, 2002 at 14:09:27:
In Reply to: Re: Shark Slaughter posted by What About The KIDS on April 25, 2002 at 12:50:27:
I can understand the emotions flowing on both sides of this issue, and hope that the following note can inform the situation a bit better. I have dived with sharks for more than twenty years now, and have never had reason to fear them. The more we know about a species, perhaps the better we will treat them. Most experienced boat people that I come across fear barricuda over sharks.
From http://www.maui-activities.com/sharks.htm.
Sharks are beautiful, graceful creatures that have played a major part in the development of the marine
ecosystem. In ancient Hawaii, it was worshipped and deeply respected. Today, it is still held in high regard,
even feared. We hope to shed some light into the darkness and lend understanding to the value of this predator.
There are about eight species of shark in Hawaii that are commonly seen near shore. The most frequently
encountered are the sandbar, reef white tip, scalloped hammerhead, and occasionally the tiger.
These inshore species are top-level carnivores, feeding primarily on fishes. Their function in reef ecosystems
is not fully understood, but they are believed to improve fish populations by removing sick and injured fish,
leaving the healthiest to reproduce.
Sharks have extremely well-developed sensory capabilities. They can detect sounds and and smells from prey
at great distances. Their eyesight is good, but depends greatly on water clarity.
As sharks approach their prey, they can detect the faint electrical fields give off by all living organisms.
Receptors on their snouts, known as ampullae of Lorenzini, allow sharks to locate their prey without seeing it.
Using these senses, sharks can find prey at dusk, night and dawn, which is when inshore species are
generally believed to feed.
Sharks are very well aware of their environment and appear to be fairly curious by nature. They are aware of
people in the water before people are aware of them. Encounters between sharks and people are infrequent,
and most inshore species pose little threat to humans.
While any shark may be potentially dangerous, only a few species of Hawaiian sharks are known to attack
people. They include the Tiger, Galapagos, Gray Reef and Scalloped Hammerhead. The latter two appear to
attack only when provoked. The Tiger and Galapagos are most aggressive.
Shark attacks in Hawaiian waters are very rare, occurring on the average at a rate of about two or three per
year. Surfers and spear fishers appear to be most at risk. Fatal attacks are extremely rare, especially
considering the number of people in Hawaii's waters.