Shark attacks could be a case of mistaken identity
International and Australian scientists have tested the long-held theory that some shark attacks could be the result of mistaken identity, challenging the common notion that great whites are "mindless killers" or "fond of human flesh."
Researchers have studied the anatomy of shark eyes to gain a perspective on what they might see underwater while they look up to the ocean's surface for prey.
Lead researcher from Macquarie University Dr Laura Ryan said it is the first study of its kind.
"Until now, the potential similarity between humans and seals has been assessed based on human vision," she said.
"However, white sharks have much lower visual acuity than us, meaning they cannot see fine details, and lack colour vision."
Mistaken silhouettes
Flinders University associate professor Charlie Huveneers said the studies are indicating sharks are likely mistaking the silhouettes of surfers for their natural prey like seals.
"Humans have three different types of cones to process colour, while sharks only have one type of cone — which means they're unlikely to see colour," Mr Huveneers said.
"While they're well adapted to see underwater, their acuity is not as good as previously thought and the ability to discern the resolution of images isn't that great.
"That's why, when you compare the silhouettes of seals and humans from a shark's perspective and from a vision and anatomical perspective, there are no differences between seals and the surfers."
Why sharks bite
Mr Huveneers said the study could contribute to reducing the risk of shark bites.
"In the last few years, we've seen an increase in the number of shark bites globally and also in Australia," Mr Huveneers said.
"There's been some questions about what could be the reason behind why sharks might be biting humans and a better understanding might help us mitigate these risks."
The researcher said a combination of devices that deter sharks and knowledge from this recent study could help reduce the risk of shark bites.
"There's no silver bullet, or one device or product which will completely reduce the risk; it's a combination of these devices that together can reduce the risk," he said.
The researchers acknowledged sharks can also detect prey using other sensory systems.
"What we're showing from a vision perspective and an anatomical perspective is there seem to be sharks that are not the best at differentiating different objects on the surface," Mr Huveneers said.
Dr Ryan noted "the findings of this study have inspired the design of non-invasive vision-based shark mitigation devices, which are currently being tested".
© Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved.
Comments
The last thing an apex predator needs is a long strong bone or a biscuit of toxic foam and fibreglass wedged in its mouth, it has no teeth to chew with, just teeth to shred flesh but the 'see food, bite food' instinct is a proven winning strategy.
If that was the case why wouldn't they attack small boats more often as well? surely it would look like the largest seal they have ever scored?
By Jingoes who would of thought !...sharks think where seals !
Hope it didnt cost to much to figure that out ...
Yep
Stop wasting money on researching the Bloody Obvious and spending it on Prevention Testing (eg the Stripes theory). We have plenty of data on Sharks now, lets use it for something. Uni Nerds !!!
Magnificent, noble, misunderstood and downtrodden beasts.
(Anyone else noted the tendency of all animal docos now to anthropomorphise the animals? Eg, "Karen the gazelle, who has made this perilous journey every season of her life, now fights for it as she crosses the river, inhabited by Simon and Val the crocodiles." Eg "Now it's time for Dave and Teresa, the praying mantises, to mate." They are nuts.)
Simsurf they sense activity in the boat or on the board and they check it out ...if there in wound up mode they will hit it...other times they will ignore it... an electric deterrant can drown out the activity so they dont sense it and when they do and come and look it puts out something they dont like and hopefully turn em away ..but sometimes they are just wound up enough they will go anything...if a shark is chasing something like a jewie and a surfer ends up in the line of sight the shark is goona be interested ... with the amount of rec boats fishing these days they may even associate anything substantial that floats a potential food source probably yelling out hey throw a fkn tuna on a rope at me willya ...and the fact there are more of em .. ...
1978 called and wants its “mistaken identity “ attack theory back.
Seriously people, with the amount of humans consumed after repeat bites in crystal clear water, can we just admit that most sharks don’t want to eat people…..until they do.
FFS. Articles like this make scientists out to be ideologically driven retards.
I’d love to be there when this dumb cunt scientist tells the survivors of the USS Indianapolis that half their shipmates got eaten by the most tragically myopic sharks in world history.
jesus are you fucking serious?
Someone submits an article to swellnet about some other bloke at a uni making some quite interesting (and relevant ie re colour vision for all the yellow striped wetsuit or whatever crew) observations about the physiology of sharks eyes and adds something else about attacks for the general public and you somehow get to 'Articles like this make scientists out to be ideologically driven retards."?
If there is actually a retard competition going on it's not 'the scientists' who are looking at a podium finish here. (this is also directed at the authors of some similarly idiotic comments further upstream)
Fuck.... Time to put the bong down hey blowjob. U got an opinion on everything and none of them are educated, nor interesting. Id take a scientists findings over the ramblings of a geriatric, has-been boomer any day....
I guess then that sharks must think dolphins, rays, turtles, crustaceans, dead whales and a very wide variety of fish species all look like seals too.
Love it wally. Made me giggle.
Dr Ryan noted "the findings of this study have inspired the design of non-invasive vision-based shark mitigation devices, which are currently being tested". - is he referring to Shannan Worrels' "Shark Eyes" business - I'm not aware of any other "ision-based shark mitigation devices" - any else aware of any?
the striped wet suits
What's the best device for surfers at the moment?
Always wax up before a session, don’t drop in on anyone who’s bigger than you and only look once at the hot chicks on the beach or else you’ll be branded a pervert.
Haha
Haha well played
Clear boards so you don't really cast a silhouette?
Stop surfing now…..
Fuck i think im a pervert
We’re all perverts.
The trick is convincing the community that your mind is busy thinking about deforesting koala habitat for an eco resort or something else socially acceptable.
Anything but admiring the opposite sex as your genetics dictates. That’s evil!
Charles Darwin would have looked twice.
What if its only non - invasive vision - based ..
We only look twice because it's mistaken identity and they look like seals
An old ab diver told me once if he sees a shark he act like a squid ...shits and splits
Haha, good one Shaun
So still basically take a cupfull of cement
Endless summer 2, Pat and Wingnut in France with Tom Curren.
Pat was mesmerised by the topless wonders of south west France . As always Tom offered some sage advice, you don’t look back and you definitely don’t go back for a second look. Advice that has always kept me out of trouble.
Haha but Pat couldn't help himself and had to do a 2nd walk past! I met Pat about 10 years ago at the Greeny surf club! After 12 schooners I thought we were best mates and proceeded to quote about 80% of the movie to him. He reckoned he had only watched it once and couldn't remember all the classic quotes, pretty sure he was very politely trying to get me to stop. Got some classic pics with him and my mate. Good fella!
Haha great story. Pat sounds like a good bloke. Wish I was there for the schooners
Pretty sure sharks have been eating humans since humans crawled out of the evolutionary slime. Sharks have been making mistakes for at least 60 000 years, dumb smucks!
Yeah, and non-wetsuited humans standing in the water can get bit so their seal recognition skills must be really bad.
haha good one boys . Good to get a laugh here for a change.
Luckily I have excellent peripheral vision..
Also , never say "I was just looking for somewhere to park my bike" if you do get busted , I've never seen that one get a positive reaction yet.
But just on the shark thing , I thought scientists , and that includes some of the researchers in that study ,didn't want them being referred to as "shark attacks" anymore. ?
Though it Looks like that's from the author of the article and not the scientists , they seem to be only referred to as 'shark bites' here by them.
Great to see the taxpayer dollar getting such high returns on the investment. I'd like the research to be extended to determine if grey nurse sharks really are maneaters.
great whites diet changes from pure fish to fish and mammal at some stage in their life cycle. Like dogs, they rely on their mouths to test things. Could be they are curious, could be they hungry could be they are just bastards. But you'd think if they were really into human flesh, there would be multiple attacks every day.
Everyone who surfs regularly must have had a great white literally sniff their toes at some point and move on (in most cases)
Yep agreed, what about a dirty big black stripe across your board? will that confuse them.
I think Orcas have got a lot to answer for. They scare the crap out of whites, where are all the lazy, self-serving, over fed Orcas?
my theory is there is a glut of juvenile great whites in the system (following the protection of whites, it would have taken a no of years for the females to mature, breed and their offspring to reach mammal testing stage. Interesting if the ages will level out over time - will the big sharks predate and keep the juvenile numbers down? will it be a pryamid structure like the crocodile who bosses a river mouth? are juveniles v big sharks more likely to attack? how likely are they to fight each other? does the male die in the mating ritual, given the females are bigger?
I agree with you vince on glut of GW teenagers and time frame since protecting GW ..there's no shortage of food with increasing whale population and i believe seal colony's strong as well salmon no longer commercially fished in any state and plenty around . Very few mullet fisherman left so plenty of grass in the paddock ...bit of a worry if current lift in numbers continues and flows into higher numbers of all sizes continuing at current rates ... there's no reason why it won't there's not threat to sharks at all in australia next to no commercial fishing except for government shark net's .Shark fin industry all but shut down in australia so no illegal fishing effort here ..And finning pretty much shut down world wide for that matter . Im not condoning finning just stating the past threat that reduced shark numbers ..guess it is up to the killer whales there's no way the local state or federal government is going to admit there is an issue let alone do anything about there's no votes in it and there shit scared of WWF who would probably do a cull them selves they have no issue turn coating if you pay them enough ...so we just have to live with it i guess ...
Research proposal: Are shark attacks on humans a case of mistaken identity?
Research “APPROVED.”
Researching finding: Shark attacks on humans are a case of mistaken identity.
Research outcome: Further funding is needed to research this protected species and consolidate its protected status and therefore ensure some semblance of stable employment in the future.
no kidding
Remember when those bull sharks ate that girl at Stradbroke?
They probably mistook her for a 3m flattie.
So many embarrassed and confused Great Whites swimming around pondering their big mistakes - some with full bellies not so much.
But they are not alone:
"Authorities say a crocodile that attacked a girl in the Kimberley was most likely confused."
"As crocodiles also feed on monkeys, mistaken identity may occur due to humans resembling primates in the eyes of the reptiles."
"The attacks take place because of mistaken identity. A human being washing clothes on the river bank may appear something similar to a four-legged prey"
When attacked I think we need to be cognisant of the GW's confusion and not exacerbate their guilt and pain. Perhaps we should bark like a seal so the awkwardness of the mistake can be smoothed over. Or offer them counselling.
Some of the above straight faced scientific inferences are dead set comical. However some of the SN comments are just that, thanks for laughs gang (wally, blowin, frog).
I've said it before, it amazes me the preoccupation that people have with giving apex predators such as the GWS human constructs and reasoning.
I haven't laughed out loud in ages. Thanks all.
Mistaken identity double-takes on bikini girls cracked me..
Maybe humans are to sharks, what lizards are to humans: not real tasty, but you know, if you were hungry-enough...???
I AM NOT A ROBOT - glad I passed that test!
Pleased to report 100% success with my Shark Eyes so far. Will give you all an update if the success rate drops.
Why is there never any correlation made between the devastating decrease in global fish stocks and the behaviour of sharks?! Ocean warming isn't helping the situation - fish stocks are on the brink of collapse. Of COURSE sharks are going to test /bite alternatives floating about above them! They have survived for thousands of years and are in the process of adaption. Love how humans belittle other species as dumb or impulsive when really we are the only species dumb enough to trash our own habitat. @Oceanramsey has well researched behavioural understanding of sharks and often offers up tips -which seem easier said than done- but hey, good to know :)
I hope in our lifetime we get to see the effects of drastically reduced commercial fishing. Nice point.
Not sure how a "global" fish stock assessment relates to White shark behaviour in Australia. The majority of our local stocks are now well managed and there's no shortage of fish here to validate a theory that low fish numbers cause sharks to attack humans.
I could also argue that an increasing stock status of our local fisheries may actually attract more sharks and affect their behaviour towards swimmers/surfers as well. It's pretty much well known that many attacks occur during mass local fish migrations.
@tubeshooter.
"It's pretty much well known that many attacks occur during mass local fish migrations".
Mate.... Hearsay and gossip dont cut it when your trying to argue against science facts.
Hearsay and gossip ?
https://ewn.co.za/2015/06/28/Shark-attacks-may-be-due-to-fish-migration-...
"Shark expert Dr. Allison Koch said" what is likely the case here is that there is an increase in sharks in that area possibly due to an increase in prey. So it is an unusual situation and therefore people need to be extra vigilant at this time"
"Not sure how a "global" fish stock assessment relates to White shark behaviour in Australia."
So tube.... After writing the above sentance....u are going to quote a south african article????
Bahahahaha.......
Pick a direction dude....
Not sure what rock you live under mate. I was quoting a qualified scientist on the issue specifically about how some shark attacks are 'possibly and probably' related to migrating fish schools,,but anyway..Go your hardest .
This one mentions the climate change issues mentioned above {that should tick a box for you}
and how it's apparently changing the migration patterns of migrating fish and driving sharks closer to shore.
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/18/australia/australia-shark-attacks-cli...
If you're bored these 2 are a good read.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190808-why-do-sharks-attack-humans
https://taronga.org.au/sites/default/files/content/pdf/Changing_patterns...
And the reverse is even truer
**** just to clarify, I was counter-phraze-ing Boogiefever's comment by offering this. ." Science Facts don't stack up when you're arguing against Heresay&Gossip" .
Sharkhugger Eliza writes 'Why is there never any correlation made between the devastating decrease in global fish stocks and the behaviour of sharks?! ' Possibly because no such correlation exists or if one did, it would be futile to try to prove it. BTW Belittling 'dumb' humans is OK but don't do it to animals lest they develop a complex?
didn't the shark problem at Reunion coincide with Increasing fish stocks from a marine sanctuary?
I can’t really see how a wild environment with more fish, more sharks, rays, whales, plankton, etc etc can ever be a bad thing for Australia or indeed the world.
You gotta be tough to enter these forums- everything is up for attack (Woo! Saturday pun) but a fair point was made about the shark increase at Reunion- and I also reckon tho- have no proof- just logically speaking I'd say the shark population got healthier there cos there was no fish elsewhere and attracted them/ helped them stay. We need to address overfishing everywhere to regain balance of species populations. Australia is overfishing more than a third of its fish according to SBS article on Nov 21 ( crap at links sorry) https://www.sbs.com.au/news/a-tenth-of-fish-stocks-globally-now-on-the-b... Other reports on Australian fish stocks are politically slanted because conservative governments want the vote of fishers and have proved themselves to be anti marine park. I'm not paddling out in a trough full of fish to test my theory either...esp today as it's howling Easterly... prob why I'm typing on Swellnet too
Yeh and there were other factors too, one being a ban on Shark fishing,i think. So more or less the same thing that's happened here
Ps would more GWS= less fish?
Time you left the thinking to adults Ray.
I think? Maybe, possibly?.....not exactly commonly used science terms.
Its all Hearsay and gossip and wont even get by 2nd grade let alone peer reviews and scientific scrutiny.
I think....maybe, it possibly might be time you started dealing in facts..... Maybe?
'Other reports on Australian fish stocks are politically slanted because conservative governments want the vote of fishers and have proved themselves to be anti marine park'. Sorry you feel so intimidated Eliza but you appear to be another sharkhugger blaming the LNP for all the world's problems (no relation to viclocal by any chance?). It is, in fact, Victoria's Labor Govt which is hell-bent on increasing 'fishers' (wtf?) - they have a 'target 1million' program. But, have to say it's nice to have a (solitary) female contributor on swellnet.
A brief run down on Oz fish stock status.. without the politics.
https://www.fish.gov.au/reports/key-results
For a full run down on individual species and fisheries ...
https://www.fish.gov.au/reportstock?kw=&page=1&sort=LatestFirst
There is obviously work to be done still but by and large things have improved a great deal and continue to do so.
I just read that SBS article and global study ,there's a few holes in the references to Australian Fisheries numbers .
for a start ,,re Oz ,,,"The study found 38 per cent of the nation's fish stocks are overfished and 60 per cent of its catch comes from unassessed stocks."
Well , according to peer reviewed stats put out by the FRDC(fisheries research and development corp.) in the bi annual SAFS (status of fish stocks) reports, that I posted links to above , don't seem to match.
302 stocks out 477 are deemed sustainable.(63.3%)
However,,, those stocks supply 134,738t out of a total catch of 146,941t.. that is 91.7% of our total landed catch.
Another 16 stocks are considered recovering and supply a further 6,617t , which is another 4.5% of total catch.
17 stocks classed as depleting contributing 1,695t ,, (1.15%)
36 stocks classed as depleted contributing 2,085t ,,,(1.42%) ..All have recovery management programs in place.
There were 70 stocks classified as undefined (contributing 1,779t or 1.21%) and a further 36 classified as negligible.
The undefined stock classification does not necessarily mean that the stock is at increased risk; it means that there is limited or conflicting information available to undertake the assessment.
Stocks classified as negligible are unlikely to be at risk due to their very small size.
And here's a vid with the FRDC Director of Programs to explain the SAFS in detail,
"Non-invasive vision-based shark mitigation devices"? Paint an ORCA on the bottom of your board???? According to Dr Google "Orcas are the only natural predator of the great white. Scientists have found proof that they are gashing the sharks open and eating their fatty livers. ... Orcas have been observed preying on great white sharks all over the world."
Mistaken identity attack in Singapore as well... Old mate must have been looking a bit Koi.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-11/british-man-attacked-otters-singa...
The gang war clip in the story makes the Australian bush look pretty tame.
Interesting article, and i do recall one of SN contributors having a pretty detailed description of the possible correlation of moon phases and shark incidents.
Having said that, the article also states that the best surfing conditions occur around full moons. I've heard this one for years but never heard any scientific evidence to support it. Calling BS on that one which kinda throws the whole article into doubt.
https://www.sciencealert.com/sharks-might-really-bite-humans-more-during...
'Flinders University associate professor Charlie Huveneers said the studies are indicating sharks are likely mistaking the silhouettes of surfers for their natural prey like seals.' I would take anything this Frog says with a grain of salt. He was on the news the other night saying that most of the sharks we're seeing in SA waters are bronze whalers which are 'harmless to humans'. Try telling that to Mark Jepson.
Was that at Waits a fair few years ago Cockee?? I remember there was a bronzie killed a fella there.
Had a large bronzie charge at me over here last year and thought i was about to get nailed but by the grace of Huey, it swam under me. It was around diving birds and it instinctively in that moment felt like it was being territorial...it was proper flexing as it came in at me...could see teeth and its eye. Pretty fukn frightening!! Dodged a bullet that day.
A guy got pretty severe injuries from one at Frigates in Fiji a couple of years ago..
https://fijisun.com.fj/2020/12/02/shark-attack-horror/
1992 Point Lonsdale, Vic. Luck was on your side that day BD!