A new study conducted by researchers in Hawaii suggests that some species of sharks prefer swimming in waters around Maui than in any other part of the state. This could help explain why the island has seen a significant increase in the number of shark attacks in the past 20 years.
With cases of shark attacks on beachgoers in Maui continuing to increase in recent years, the Land and Natural Resources Department of Hawaii decided to commission a scientific study to find out what could be causing the attacks.
Charles Meyer and his colleagues at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) tagged several tiger sharks in order to monitor their activity around the islands of Oahu and Maui as well as in the open seas.
They discovered that the sharks seem to be fond of waters near Maui likely because the area is filled with coral reefs and is teeming with food for the creatures.
The sharks may have also widened their hunting grounds in the area because of the warming temperatures of the ocean. Some may have even encroached waters that are typically used by humans as well.
As far as the reason why there were more shark attacks in recent years, the researchers believe it is caused by more people choosing to spend longer periods of time in the ocean.
While the study shows that sharks seem to like staying at Maui's popular beaches as much as humans do, its purpose is not to promote fear in people but to provide a better understanding on the behavior of these animals.
Shark experts believe the key to having better coexistence with the creatures is knowledge. They advise beachgoers not to go to areas where sharks can often be found. These include places where there is murky water or dead animals, which could attract these giant predatory fish.
Marine researcher Francisco Ferretti from Stanford University also pointed out that sharks play an important role in maintaining balance in ocean ecosystems.
If large sharks were to vanish from the ocean, the populations of smaller sharks and other animals would increase significantly, causing an imbalance in the ecosystems.
Ferretti said that people should learn more about the behavior and seasonal movement of sharks so that they would be able to avoid attacks.
"If we know them, and we know their ecology, then we can take precautions and use the ocean and engage in recreational opportunities," Ferretti said. "These predators are a fundamental part of the ocean function."
Meyer and his colleagues are planning to submit their findings for a peer review.
Photo: Tim Sackton | Flickr
