MYTH 1: 
All sharks are aggressive towards humans
TRUTH 
: There are hundreds of species of shark found worldwide; however, only around 10 are thought to be aggressive towards humans. Even the more aggressive species are not predisposed to hunt man like they are often portrayed. Most shark attacks are a case of mistaken identity, acting out of fear or them responding to human behaviours to which they have never before been exposed. They DO NOT hunt for sport, for revenge or for pleasure, as shown in films such as ‘Jaws’.
MYTH 2: 
Sharks can smell blood from miles away
TRUTH : A sharks ability to sense blood is not as powerful as is often made out – in fact the idea that they can sense one drop of blood in the surrounding area, when in reality, only some sharks can smell one part in a million. Even in these circumstances, it certainly does not send them into a manic rage like films such as ‘Finding Nemo’ show. Sharks use this ability to hunt their prey, which includes creatures such as fish, sea turtles, seals, and NOT man.
MYTH 3: Shark teeth are designed to eat people
TRUTH : Sharks teeth are not designed to eat a person and so even if they wanted to, they could not. These teeth are designed to cut through soft meats such as fish, and so if they were to make contact with human bone they would very likely shatter and break. Like all animals they obviously want to avoid this discomfort and disadvantage and so will not go out of there way to attack people as it is more of a detriment than a benefit to them. Sharks are intelligent animals that will cleverly calculate whether their prey is worth the energy to pursue them.
MYTH 4 : Sharks cause thousands of human deaths per year
TRUTH : Although there are a handful of accidents – an average of 6 deaths per year worldwide – involving sharks, humans are responsible for the deaths of 100 million sharks every single year. Shark finning, trawler fishing and shark nets along tourist beaches, all contribute to this yearly massacre, yet, as has been explained these gentle giants are really not to be feared. Although you may believe that the removal of sharks from the ocean makes them a safer place, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sharks are essential in almost every ocean food chain and there removal can damage or destroy ocean habitats essential for a healthy and happy earth.
Visit Deep Sea World's Summer of Sharks 
