A suspected great white shark is terrorizing the waters off Perth after fatally attacking a diver on Sunday morning. The woman is the second person to be killed in the area in six days after a surfer died after his leg was bitten off by a great white.
Three fishermen involved in aiding the diver described the shark as longer than their 5.3m boat.
Traps have now been set for the predator.The 60-year-old woman was diving two kilometers off the coast of Mindarie, northern Perth, when the attack happened, according to police. The woman's diving partner told police he felt "something go past him" in the water before surfacing to see her being attacked.
The question occurred to me: "Why would a shark attack a human, then not consume that human?" Sharks routinely attack various creatures, then they consume those creatures. There may be some waste, but that isn't how predators operate - they kill, they consume all that they can consume, they rest, then they kill and consume again. So, why do they leave all that waste behind, when they attack a human? Some links for thought and discussion:
http://www.driftsurfing.eu/why-do-sharks-attack-humans-more-than-just-mistaken-identity/
http://ipfactly.com/why-do-great-white-sharks-attack-humans/
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 06 2016, @03:01AM
The climate-changed world needs your talents, sir.
(Score: 2) by driverless on Monday June 06 2016, @04:44AM
Couldn't the boat just have jumped the shark to get away?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by tftp on Monday June 06 2016, @03:19AM
I wonder why so many AU people are attracted to the ocean? Don't they have swimming pools of various sizes? A whole lot of people on this planet do not have convenient access to the sea, but they hardly ever worry about that fact. Warm waters around Australia are known to be dangerous, and even well trained people die from time to time from teeth or venom of sea creatures. There is no way to be entirely safe even if the beach is surrounded by nets - the fishes have all the time in the world and nothing better to do than to look for an opening. Stories about shark attacks appear like a clockwork. Only an $unwise_person keeps doing the same thing and each time expects a different outcome.
I understand that diving for plants, animals, and just sightseeing cannot be done in a pool. But at least be rational about it and rent a mini-sub, where you are protected not only from the wildlife, but also from the pressure, and can stay submerged for hours.
Traps have now been set for the predator
There are far more where this one came from. Is it a national pastime to try to stop the tide?
"Why would a shark attack a human, then not consume that human?"
Sharks are not the smartest fishes in the world. They have many strong and powerful parts, but their brain is not on that list. Besides, sharks feel comfortable in water :-) The attacked human is not going anywhere, as far as the shark can surmise. The prey can be eaten at the predator's leisure. There is no hurry. When you visit a restaurant, you are probably not running into the kitchen and biting into anything that looks like a food? You, I presume, order something, wait for it, and then carefully eat at your convenience. Why can't a shark do the same? Other animals have similar feeding habits. Bears, for example, want the meat to become just a bit spoiled - for that reason they hide a fresh kill and come back in a couple of days.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Wong McGregor on Monday June 06 2016, @05:32AM
Sharks are not the smartest fishes in the world. They have many strong and powerful parts, but their brain is not on that list. Besides, sharks feel comfortable in water :-) The attacked human is not going anywhere, as far as the shark can surmise. The prey can be eaten at the predator's leisure.
My understanding has always been that great whites (which are a feature of the cold waters (eg. South Australia)) in particular make their attack by charging and then get out as quickly as possible because it would be dangerous for them to say around. After all, they aren't that maneuverable and even people fight back. There is a theory that the first bite etc of shark attacks is 'exploratory' but shark victims tend to vigorously deny this. Of course, you are right that a lot of people survive shark attacks because of this, but so does the shark this way.
(Score: 1) by anubi on Monday June 06 2016, @06:16AM
Kinda like a box of chocolates that's been exposed to children is apt to have tooth marks on them.
Once the child determined the chocolate sampled was not very tasty, he left it alone.
My take is the shark sensed it had just bitten into a bony blob of fat and wasn't worth eating.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 06 2016, @06:09AM
The attacked human is going many places, you know. This is the ocean we are talking about! There are such pesky things like ocean currents, and of course there are, quite literally, plenty of other fish in the sea. The ocean is quite a different place from land where a predator can hide a kill somewhere and still expect to find it again a few days later. It is much harder for sea creatures to do stuff like that. And as you also point out, sharks are not the smartest fishes in the world. If you read some of the links in TFS, you'll see what a real attack by a great white is like. They hit hard and fast so the prey has no chance of getting away. Humans on the other hand don't have enough calories in them to be worth the effort of attacking in that way, especially since to a shark, a human in the water is a strange and unfamiliar sight. They don't know what it is but are curious, and examine it in the only way they can, by biting into it.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by lentilla on Monday June 06 2016, @08:55AM
I wonder why so many AU people are attracted to the ocean?
Australian beaches are rather nice. Sand, sun and surf. It is unsurprising that the beach features so prominently in the Australian psyche. Also: the vast majority of the Australians live in a very narrow coastal band.
Given a choice between swimming in a backyard pool and in the open water I'd pick the open water any day. I suppose that's a personal preference but I enjoy the feeling of the water being alive and being part of that. (Of course the downside to being part of the ecosystem is the occasional sea creature looking for a snack.)
Stories about shark attacks appear like a clockwork.
True. Although bear in mind that you are more likely to die crossing the road to the beach than end up as shark hors d'oeuvre.
(Score: 1) by zoefff on Monday June 06 2016, @08:10PM
Why can't a shark do the same?
I can imagine sinking to the bottom, out of reach? or there are not many good hiding places in the open ocean (there are in a reef, but that´s not something for a great white).
I think the wetsuit is also playin a part in here. Tried to eat it?
(Score: 1) by tftp on Monday June 06 2016, @08:57PM
The question about existence of sense of taste in sharks is indeed quite interesting. But I wouldn't be too concerned about a wetsuit, as skin of many prey animals (dolphins, smaller sharks, fish) is hard, rough, and probably not particularly tasty either. One would even think that a predator should have a pretty dull sense of taste, otherwise they'd be unable to eat many of the less appealing parts of the prey.
Sharks have excellent sense of smell and will easily find blood in water. Perhaps some bits of the kill could eventually sink to the bottom if the bottom is miles away; however in more shallow waters the shark can navigate the whole range of depths. There aren't too many animals in the ocean who'd compete for those bits with the shark (without becoming a seasoning) - except other sharks. And there is also that issue of breathing - sharks must remain in motion to breathe. They cannot stop by the carcass and chew on it for a while. By necessity they have to dine while moving.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 06 2016, @03:24AM
Isn't it a common tactic to wound the opponent/enemy/prey in order to:
1) Draw in more prey
2) Waste the opponent's resources
(Score: 3, Informative) by Runaway1956 on Monday June 06 2016, @03:37AM
Among sharks? That tactic isn't especially common, as far as I can tell. Failing to immobilize your prey can and will result in the prey escaping. Reading the articles, you get the idea that sharks don't even LIKE human meat. Maybe it's even distasteful. So, the possible conclusions that A: attacks on humans are mistakes and B: sharks are curious and C: the shark is merely trying to warn off a potential competitor each has merit.
The notable incident that seems to put the lie to each of these theories would be the USS Indianapolis being sunk in WW2. Accounts from the survivors indicate that the sharks worked that sinking very thoroughly, consuming many of the dead, dying, and even some of the healthy living sailors.
Abortion is the number one killed of children in the United States.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Wong McGregor on Monday June 06 2016, @05:55AM
Reading the articles, you get the idea that sharks don't even LIKE human meat. Maybe it's even distasteful. So, the possible conclusions that A: attacks on humans are mistakes and B: sharks are curious and C: the shark is merely trying to warn off a potential competitor each has merit.
Certainly humans arent the usual diet for sharks. Although for some reason shark attacks have become much more common in Australia over the last decade or so although nobody know why.
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2016/02/08/4400419.htm/ [abc.net.au]
This program on precisely this topic would still seem to be accessible (at least in Australia). Check out the story of the guy who fought back at the 25 minute mark!
The typical diet of great whites is supposed to be seals.
'Curious' would presumably explain the 'exploratory bite' theory.
(Score: 2, Informative) by Wong McGregor on Monday June 06 2016, @06:39AM
Apologies, I seem to have screwed up the link. Here is the correct one:
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2016/02/08/4400419.htm [abc.net.au]
My take is the shark sensed it had just bitten into a bony blob of fat and wasn't worth eating.
Humans on the other hand don't have enough calories in them to be worth the effort of attacking in that way
Having briefly had a look that it again, I've noticed that there are a lot of people saying the shark 'definitely' wanted to eat them!
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Monday June 06 2016, @07:28AM
Good video - it offers varying viewpoints. It doesn't try to tell you what the "solution" is, it just presents facts. Kudos to the ABC for doing such a good job on this film.
Abortion is the number one killed of children in the United States.
(Score: 1) by Wong McGregor on Monday June 06 2016, @08:20AM
Thanks for the reference to the USS Indianapolis, as you say an ideal test case, although a different species of shark. I hadn't heard of it before. What an incredible story! We have our own naval disasters, but none to match that:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Sydney_(D48)#Controversy [wikipedia.org]
A common pattern:
Sydney's failure to reach Fremantle on 20 November was not initially cause for concern, as several factors might have delayed the cruiser, none of which were sufficient reason to break the order to maintain wireless silence. However, with no sign of the cruiser by 23 November, shore-based wireless stations began transmitting orders for Sydney to break silence and report in.
Who'd want to be a sailor, in a navy at least.
Four corners is the best investigative journalism we have in Australia, at least on TV.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Monday June 06 2016, @10:55AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dlXmuYuAYc [youtube.com]
Abortion is the number one killed of children in the United States.
(Score: 5, Funny) by ilPapa on Monday June 06 2016, @03:33AM
It's Australia, Jake. The friggin' butterflies try to kill you in Australia.
You are still welcome on my lawn.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 06 2016, @03:48AM
Maybe the human was wearing a wetsuit? Neoprene foam might not be worth coming back for seconds?
Which makes me wonder, would some layers of Kevlar/aramid cloth (bullet proof vest material) make a wetsuit somewhat shark-proof?
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Monday June 06 2016, @04:04AM
Kevlar might help, but I think maybe it wouldn't be a miracle cure. Kevlar seems to absorb blunt force quite well, but pointed objects? From experience, cutting kevlar is more difficult than cutting cotton, but less difficult than cutting other materials, such as heavy canvas or duck. You might find this article interesting - http://www.bodyarmornews.com/bulletproof-vests/ [bodyarmornews.com]
Abortion is the number one killed of children in the United States.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 06 2016, @04:08AM
Maybe humans don't taste very good. After a big nibble the shark goes "Yuck!"
(Score: 3, Funny) by fido_dogstoyevsky on Monday June 06 2016, @07:26AM
"Why would a shark attack a human, then not consume that human?"
It's Australia, Jake. The friggin' butterflies try to kill you in Australia.
I don't understand. Why is this modded "Funny" instead of "Informative"?
It's NOT a conspiracy... it's a plot.
(Score: 3, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 06 2016, @07:39AM
It's Australia, Jake. The friggin' butterflies try to kill you in Australia.
I don't understand. Why is this modded "Funny" instead of "Informative"?
It's not "Informative" if everyone already knows it :)
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 06 2016, @08:00AM
Sharks attacks are pretty bad, but now they are misogynists too!
We must #KillAllSharks to combat this targeted oppression of women, which dissuades female participation in the OCEAN fields. Sharkiarchy!
If you don't want to #KillAllSharks, you must hate women! Fin-ora wearing SRA scum!
Don't forget, everything is sexist and you have to point it *all* out.
All hail Anita.
(Score: 2, Funny) by Guppy on Tuesday June 07 2016, @02:09AM
Shark ‘Bigger Than a Boat’ Kills Aussie
We're gonna need a bigger boat.
(Score: 2, Informative) by o_o on Tuesday June 07 2016, @08:12AM
First of all it's a shame, very unfortunate what happened. Rest in Peace. Sharks kind of rule the oceans, they can be very dangerous.
According to a documentary, small personal experience and 2nd-hand info from a marine biologist friend working with sharks in aquariums for years, sharks are inquisitive folk: they will habitually bite and chop off pieces to taste if this wiggly thing is edible, same way a dog or a cat licks to taste before biting, chewing and swallowing.
Unfortunately for wiggly things, such a shark's probe can be fatal.
On that same documentary batch, different avenues and techniques where explored to appear indifferent and uninteresting to sharks: the worse is a surfer paddling belly-down away from the shore because, if seen from below, they look kinda like food (limbs paddling outseide the outline of the surfboard). The shark attacks, bites, thinks 'eeew' and leaves.
The best avoidance, in terms of the perceived shape from below (point of view oshark) turned out to be a 'tube with a bag' floating, like a condom (I am not trolling, I am trying to describe the shape): the rim would be the floating tube, and the person would sit inside the 'condom', so legs below the surface but inside the rubber, like inside a floating bag. Especially if all was painted black, it seemed to be indifferent to sharks: they would swim around it, but would not try to take a bite. Maybe because it was too unnatural a sight, spooked them out more than intrigued them, shielded body electricity (that sharks are sensitive to) who knows.
No citation on the documentary unfortunately, it's been years- it could have been Cousteau, but I really do not remember, and cannot invest in lookin it up now.
Again, very sorry for the event, but on Earth most life eats other life, otherwise it loses its own life, and the information here can be useful.
(Score: 1) by Sarasani on Wednesday June 08 2016, @04:47AM
and the person would sit inside the 'condom', so legs below the surface but inside the rubber
While surfers can act like dicks, would they ever paddle out inside a protective condom?