THE TERRIBLE TRIO
THE THREE MOST DANGEROUS SHARKS
“The white, tiger and bull sharks are the Big Three in the shark attack world be- cause they are large species that are ca- pable of inflicting serious injuries to a vic- tim, are commonly found in areas where humans enter the water and have teeth designed to shear rather than hold. Real- istically, almost any shark in the right size range, roughly six feet or greater, is a po- tential threat to humans because, even if a bite is not intended as a directed feeding attempt on a human, the power of the jaw and tooth morphology can lead to injury.” —George H. Burgess, International Shark Attack File.
THE GREAT WHITE CARCHARODON CARCHARIAS Infamous for its star turn in Jaws, the amazing great white grows to 20 feet in length and some 5,000 pounds. Incredibly wide-
ranging and still poorly understood, adult white sharks are thought to feed primarily on marine mammals. Great whites were positively identified or suspected in all 12 fatal shark attacks off the California coast since 1952, according to the Shark Re- search Committee.
THE TIGER SHARK GALEOCERDO CUVIER Tiger sharks inhabit tropi- cal waters. They grow to 16 feet in length—as long as a typical open water fishing kayak. Tigers aren’t picky
eaters. They feed on fish, marine mammals, birds, squid, turtles and carrion. Tigers are the number two killer on the International Shark Attack File.
THE BULL SHARK CARCHARHINUS LEUCAS Bull sharks frequent beaches and swim far up coastal rivers, putting them in the closest prox- imity to humans of all large
sharks. They pose a danger to swimmers and waders. Growing to 11 feet and 500 pounds, bulls typically feed on fish, other sharks, turtles, birds and crustaceans. The International Shark Attack File ranks bulls nearly even with tigers.
36 …KAYAK ANGLER SPRING 2011
SHARK SENSE
HOW NOT TO GET EATEN
SURVIVAL.When it comes right down to it, it’s the most basic of all our instincts. We are hard- wired through the evolutionary process to make choices and pursue activities that enhance our odds of survival, as individuals and as a species. Sean Van Sommeran of the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation has been interacting closely
with great whites during tagging studies for well over a decade. This expert’s survival tips are simple and straightforward. Know the territory, know the areas sharks frequent and know when they are least likely at home. For Bean Hollow, Central California’s shark incident central, May and June feature the lowest counts. “Safety while in the ocean is a matter of familiarity and possessing some situational aware-
ness,” Van Sommeran says. “Travel in a group, close to shore if possible; have a plan B and a plan C at the ready. Know your escape routes at all times.” He reminds us that the odds are with us. “Far more people are killed by barnyard animals or bee stings every year than by shark attacks. You are way more likely to fall off a cliff or die in a car accident on your way to the beach.” When you’re on the water, watch the local sea life. Seals and sea lions are first on a white
shark’s menu. If the seals are cowering on the beach, a shark could be on the hunt. Likewise, watch the birds. Van Sommeran says gulls often orbit expectantly over sharks. Just as the great white has its instincts, so do we humans. Van Sommeran jokingly calls this
our Spidey sense and advises us to pay attention to such feelings. If you are paddling out and get an uncomfortable or spooky feeling, pay attention to the vibe. Your unconscious lizard brain could be reading a threat. “Ultimately,” he says, “it’s a matter of acclimation. Just like fly fishermen have gotten used to
fishing rivers 10 feet from bears, we have to get used to being in shark territory.” Bean Hollow locals are doing just that. Former kayak guide Sean Walker routinely paddles
and fishes the wild coast north of Santa Cruz. After getting an uncomfortably close look at a great white last year, Walker often thinks of them. “No more October outings at the Bean by myself,” he says. He has altered his routine to include “sticking closer to my buddies, and I have extra flotation for inside the boat.” Dan Prather, who was knocked violently off his kayak in 2007 by a great white strike, is em-
phatic with his advice. “Get back in the boat! Inside the boat has got to be better than in the water with the shark,” he says. Despite his close call—he watched as a shark chewed on the nose of his boat for several long seconds—Prather still fishes the Bean. Kayaks are lifesavers. Unlike surfers, whose boards provide little protection, kayakers typical-
ly ride out an attack without suffering serious injury. Sharks that hit out of curiosity, a mistaken predation attempt, or out of territorialism quickly lose their taste for plastic or fiberglass. “They won’t waste a lot of time on something that doesn’t meet the food profile,” Van Sommeran says. Kayak fisherman Niko von Broembsen employs the handle Sharky. He earned the title the
PHOTOS, TOP TO BOTTOM: CALLAGHAN FRITZ-COPE/PELAGIC SHARK RESEARCH FOUNDATION / PHOTO: ©
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/COR BOSMAN UNDERWATER IMAGES / PHOTO: ©
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/GREEN MARINE
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