How Surfers Can Aid In Shark Advocacy & Conservation
Editor’s note: Surfers can help by taking a short survey here.
From my experience, the majority of the surfers I know fall into two categories. Those who are afraid of sharks and those who aren’t bothered by them at all. One gentleman in his 60s that I’ve surfed with for over a decade tells me that he never watched the classic movie Jaws because the mere thought of it frightened him enough and he didn’t want to ruin his favorite activity. Still others tell me of times where the conditions in the water “feel sharky”, which causes them to abandon their surf session regardless of how long they’ve been out. Then there are the surfers like myself who are excited about those who won’t get in the water if there’s even a whisper of a shark sighting because that means less crowded lineups and more waves for us.
In 2017 there were only 88 shark “attacks” recorded on the entire planet. I say “attacks” in quotation marks because these events are nearly always a case of mistaken identity. Humans are not a shark’s normal meal. Sharks favor fattier marine mammals. This is the point where someone will tell me, “Well, I’m overweight”. That’s not the fat I’m talking about. The fats/oils or – blubber – on whales and seals is thicker than human fat and contains more blood vessels. Really, blubber isn’t fat to a scientist, hence the differing nomenclature. It is connective tissue between the internal organs of an animal and its skin and vital to its survival.[1] The word “attack” came about through the media to get shock value for attention.
Shark bites are obviously nothing to diminish or laugh at but, in fact, are extremely rare. In 2017 there were 5 fatalities from a total of 88 unprovoked “attacks” globally from an alleged 155 incidents.[2] In Southern California alone, an average of 129 million beach visits occur every year with 45% of those visits being one where an individual enters the water[3]. Out of the millions of people that engage in ocean activities globally, this makes the chance of an encounter with a shark incredibly slim. Vending machines, coconuts, cows, and cell phones kill more people every year than do sharks.
Back to surfers though, a number of fearful surfers invest in emerging technologies that are marketed as being able to repel sharks away from the user. In a private Facebook group I’m a part of, one person claimed that they felt incredibly secure with a watch-like item that they wore when surfing because it was allegedly designed to repel sharks. Unfortunately, there has been no effective repellent created to date and those products that claim they can repel sharks give a false sense of security to the user. For example, experienced surfers know not to surf in a seal/sea lion rookery area. These nurseries are where mothers amass to give birth to their young and to mate, making them a magnet for large, predatory sharks. If one does enter the water at one of these locations they have a chance of being mistaken for one of the seals/sea lions and bitten. Imagine if you are in the water with 49 seals. You have a one in 50 chance of being the one bitten should there be one shark looking to strike once at that time during your surf session. No product on the market will protect a surfer from that. (By the way, the scenario I just gave you is only a 2% chance that you would be the one the shark picked out.)
Sharks are a vital species for healthy oceans and are in danger of extinction due to human activities. Overfishing and fear have made it so that there are approximately 75% fewer Great White sharks alive today than when the movie Jaws was released in 1975. One study estimated that a tuna fishery’s catch can be comprised of up to 60% sharks, of which nearly are all discarded or illegally finned before being discarded[4]. Removing an apex predator from an ecosystem causes what is called trophic downgrading, which leaves prey behavior unchecked and can cause complete decimation of primary producers in that ecosystem. In plain terms, one effect of removing a top predator like sharks from an ecosystem is that plant-eaters multiply unchecked and eat all of the plants in that system. This can cause a complete collapse of a particular ecosystem, leaving a barren, lifeless area that once was teeming with life. With too much of the plant life – or oxygen producers – gone, this can effect the levels of oxygen on our planet.
What can surfers do to help? People who aren’t surfers often ask surfers if they are afraid of sharks. That’s the question that I seem to hear the most and is echoed by other surfers that I have spoken to. When these questions arise, it’s a perfect opportunity to educate those inquiring about the truth. We can let the person know that we aren’t on the menu and the need to conserve sharks for the health of our oceans and planet. Let them know that there isn’t anything to fear and just how rare an encounter with a shark is, much less one that is dangerous or fatal. Point people to shark advocates like the Shark Angels to get a better understanding of the facts. Find and volunteer with local charities that do outreach and education on the marine environment and sharks, which is a fantastic way to become informed. Also, being mindful of products that use sharks and avoiding purchasing those products. Finally, if they are in an area where experts give public lectures or workshops on sharks they can attend to become more informed. The key is education.
Surfers can help Apryl Boyle’s research by taking a short survey here.
The first in her family to finish college and graduate school, Apryl now spends her days as a marine and environmental science expert that specializes in sharks. She’s regularly quoted in the media and has appeared on the well-known Shark Week and other international media. Her current research focuses on global shark populations dynamics and fisheries data. In addition she’s called upon as a keynote speaker to talk shark advocacy, conservation, and to show her many photos and videos of swimming with great whites and other large sharks. She’s a Los Angeles native that’s married to her best friend and enjoys surfing, sailing, SCUBA, and BMX. She lives in West L.A. with her husband and 2 dogs.
The Legend – Great White Shark – Guadalupe Island, Mexico
[1] National Geographic Society Resource Library, Encyclopedic Entry “Blubber” Retrieved 17 Jan 2019 from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/blubber/
[2] Florida Museum “Yearly Worldwide Shark Attack Summary” Retrieved 17 Jan 2019 from https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shark-attacks/yearly-worldwide-summary/
[3] Dwight R.H. et al Beach Attendance and bathing rates for Southern California beaches Ocean & Coastal Management 50(10):847-858 (2007)
[4] Worm B. et al Global catches, exploitation rates, and rebuilding options for sharks Marine Policy 40 194-204 (2013)