The fear surrounding sharks is often exaggerated, largely influenced by media portrayals, particularly the iconic film "Jaws". In reality, the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) recorded only 57 unprovoked shark attacks worldwide in 2022, resulting in just five fatalities—two in South Africa, two in Egypt, and one in the United States [8b4211cd]. Additionally, there were 32 provoked attacks noted during the same year [8b4211cd]. Marine biologist Simon Weigmann explains that the monstrous image of sharks contributes significantly to public fear, alongside the primal fear of being eaten [8b4211cd]. Mistaken identity is a common cause of shark attacks, as sharks may confuse surfers with seals due to their silhouette [8b4211cd].
Only three species are primarily responsible for fatal attacks: the great white, tiger, and bull sharks [8b4211cd]. Sharks possess an extraordinary ability to detect blood and increased heartbeats from a distance; however, they are unlikely to attack unless provoked [8b4211cd]. In the event of a shark encounter, experts recommend maintaining eye contact and avoiding splashing to minimize the risk of provoking an attack. If an attack does occur, targeting the shark's sensory organs can be an effective defense strategy [8b4211cd].
In a related context, a nursery of baby great white sharks has been discovered off the coast of New York, where scientists have camera tagged the first baby great white shark named Liberty [20adc796]. This nursery, known as the New York Bight, has been confirmed to exist in the past decade and is located 100-feet deep, likely producing hundreds of baby great white sharks every year [20adc796]. The adult sharks rarely interact with the baby sharks, as they migrate northwards towards Cape Cod, Maine, and Canada, while the baby sharks head south towards warmer waters during winter [20adc796]. Scientists believe that great white sharks are critical to maintaining oceanic health and protecting the overall marine ecosystem [20adc796].
The National Geographic will feature an episode on baby great white sharks and the research conducted by scientists in New York, which will stream on July 9 [20adc796]. In another marine discovery, a spade-toothed whale, believed to be the world's rarest whale, has washed up on a beach in New Zealand [a69da89e]. This five-meter-long creature was identified based on its color patterns and the shape of its skull, beak, and teeth [a69da89e]. This is the first specimen found in a state that permits scientists to dissect it, potentially providing valuable information about the species [a69da89e]. Only six other spade-toothed whales have ever been found, but they were buried before DNA testing could confirm their identification [a69da89e]. Genetic testing to confirm the whale's identification could take months [a69da89e].