Shark Attacks in California

Top-level sharks may cause harm to us humans, but they are necessary in the food chain. They are top-level predators in coastal ecosystems, & known as Apex predators & keystone species. Without them, the ocean’s ecosystem would crumble, as sharks keep the populations of other animals in check. Due to overfishing, finning, & habitat destruction, many different species of sharks are becoming endangered, including the beloved Great White Shark.

Shark attacks most commonly happen in September. However, even though shark attacks happen the most during this time, the chances of getting attacked are still incredibly low. The odds of getting bitten by a shark are 1 in 3,748,067. You are more likely to die from drowning, lighting fireworks, lightning, a cold, a traffic accident, & even a champagne cork. Since 2018, the number of shark attacks worldwide has decreased by ¼ with an average of 64 attacks per year, 6 of which are fatal. In 2018, only 1 fatal attack occurred in the United States. In 2019, 140 human-shark interactions took place. 64 were unprovoked attacks & 41 were provoked. In all, there were a total of 5 fatal attacks. Ecologists categorize shark attacks into three different categories; the “Hit & Run” which is the most common & takes place in surf zones, & results from poor visibility. They typically just bite the victim & leave. The next type is the “Bump & bite,” which are quite rare, but typically result in the most casualties. Finally, “Sneaks”, which are quite rare, also result in most casualties.

Shark attacks are especially common throughout California because surfing is a popular aquatic activity, & Great White Sharks commonly mistake surfers in wetsuits as seals.

Shark habitat destruction is displacing shark populations & is forcing them to move. They have settled along the California coast because of its warmer ocean temperature, excess plankton (which is their main food source), & larger fish. The main species being displaced are Bull Sharks. Over time, Bull Sharks have slowly moved from the Gulf of Mexico & East Coastal areas to the West Coast of the United States. Now, they have moved around the world, & have even been found living in the Mississippi & Amazon Rivers.

Sharks migrate across the Eastern portion of the Pacific Ocean each year, traveling from the Gulf of Mexico to Californian waters, passing directly through Hawaii. The main reason for this migration is water temperature, escaping the colder Californian waters, & traveling to Mexico. On average, sharks migrate an average of 5,000 miles each year. Great White Sharks typically migrate out of California in late October & come back in early April. They come back to Southern California because the warmer water is ideal for breeding.

Researchers attached “pop-up” satellite tags to 6 adult white sharks near seal rookeries, & recorded Californian shark data from 1999-2000. They recorded data every 2 minutes on water depth, temperature, & light. Each tag was programmed to detach from the animal on a specific date, limiting any animal abuse or pollution. Whenever sharks popped up to the surface, data containing location would transmit via the Argos satellite system, back to computers at the Hopkins Marine Station.

The same study was mentioned in Nature Magazine, talking about the involvment of tagging 6 male Great White Sharks, & tracking their location on January 3rd, 2002. The results from this study were groundbreaking. Prior, it was believed that the sharks spent most of their time close to short, killing seals & sea lions, & settling in the warmer coastal waters. However, this study proved that actually the sharks ranged across vast stretches of open oceans. Results varied, as stayed in the Central California Coast, while others traveled as far as Hawaii.

1. Swim in a group (sharks usually bite individuals, rather than those in individual groups)
2. Stay close to shore (the farther from shore you are, the harder it is to get assistance)
3. Swim during the day, not at night, dawn, or dusk (many sharks are more active during the night & they would be able to see you easier than you see them)
4. Stay out of the water if bleeding (sharks can easily trace blood to its source using smell/taste)
5. Don't wear shiny jewelry (light reflecting off shiny jewelry looks like fish scales & attracts sharks)
6. Avoid waters being fished in, & with a lot of bait fish (bait fish will attract sharks to the area)
7. Don’t enter shark-infested waters (they are most likely looking for food & will attack)
8. Stay away from brightly colored clothing & an uneven tan (sharks are attracted to contrast, & can see it pretty well)
9. Avoid excessive splashing (spontaneous movements can attract sharks)

1. Remain Calm (thrashing/unnecessary movement can cause the shark to attack more)
2. Keep the shark in sight at all times (never turn away from the shark)
3. Slowly back away as calmly as possible, keeping eye contact with the shark

1. Defend Yourself & Aim for the Eyes, Nose, or Gills. Many people have survived by doing this.
2. Use whatever you can to defend yourself. Surfboards, diving gear, or fishing equipment can all scare away or harm any shark that is trying to attack you
3. Don't play dead - the shark will still attack

1. If bitten, apply pressure to try & stop the bleeding (use any cloth or spare t-shirt to apply pressure)
2. Leave the water as quickly & calmly as possible

1. Remove the victim from the water as soon as possible
2. Press on pressure points to help stop bleeding. Pressure points include the heart, wrist, stomach, or lungs
3. Warm the victim using any makeshift blanket to minimize heat loss. Wrap the victim in any blanket or sweatshirt to minimize the risk of hypothermia
4. Do not move the victim unnecessarily
5. Call for medical help

The US tops the world with the most shark attacks around the world, with 64% of the attacks in 2019 happening in the US. In 2017, the US had 53 attacks, 32 attacks in 2018, 41 attacks in 2019, & 57 attacks in 2020. Worldwide, over 100 million sharks die per year. This is mainly due to the demand for shark fin soup, which causes most shark killings, but shark finning & overfishing are also pushing sharks to the brink of extinction. If sharks did go extinct, it would disrupt the entire ocean ecosystem, as sharks are vital animals (known as keystone species), to the health of the planet. It would devastate both ecosystems as well as ecologists, as the Great White Shark has been one of the oldest surviving animals on planet Earth, & even existed before Dinosaurs.

Only 5% of over 500 known species of sharks have been involved in attacks on humans. 61% of shark attacks involve board sports & surfing. However, many of these attacks are not fatal because humans do not have enough meat to satisfy sharks' appetites, & are discarded after one bite. Sharks are able to recognize their prey are humans, as their mouths serve as sensory organs. After biting an organism, they recognize that they are unfamiliar with the object and spit it out. Sharks might bite people to check if they have the same fat content as some of their favorite prey. Sadly, shark attacks in California are going up. In 2018 California had only 1 attack, but in 2019 California had 3 attacks.