endangered sharks

The great white shark is one of the few shark species known to attack humans. This 17-foot specimen was caught in a tuna trap off the coast of Tunisia. Populations of this species have been depleted by intentional and accidental catches, and some countries have listed it as endangered. WALID MAAMOURIthrough your mind? The movie Jaws? Ferocious giants of the sea ripping up helpless swimmers, surfers, and boaters? The word is even applied to people who engage in extortion, preying on others through deceptive practices. Yes, sharks are predators that occupy the top layer of the marine food web, and many are large and powerful enough to be capable of harming a person. Even so, only certain species pose a definite danger to people who venture into their habitat, while most are inoffensive. On a worldwide scale, the number of shark attacks on humans amounts to about 100 per year, of which only 5 to 15 are fatal. In most cases, the attack ends after the initial contact and the shark does not kill or eat the victim. By comparison, many more people die each year from water-related activities that do not involve sharks. Even the number of casualties from lightning strikes is much higher. Unfortunately, each shark attack is sensationalized by the media, and these stories then shape public perception of sharks.