they can strike out of the darkness without warning there’s something about
without warning there’s something about
without warning there’s something about that that has us hardwired to be
that that has us hardwired to be
that that has us hardwired to be terrified
terrified
terrified you would never know if a shark is
you would never know if a shark is
you would never know if a shark is coming that I think both makes them
coming that I think both makes them
coming that I think both makes them scary and allows people to exaggerate
scary and allows people to exaggerate
scary and allows people to exaggerate the threat associated with them having
the threat associated with them having
the threat associated with them having this perception that sharks are
this perception that sharks are
this perception that sharks are targeting us of course makes it much
targeting us of course makes it much
targeting us of course makes it much more acceptable to target them to talk
more acceptable to target them to talk
more acceptable to target them to talk to you about this book and I thought to
to you about this book and I thought to
to you about this book and I thought to begin I wanted to explain a little about
begin I wanted to explain a little about
begin I wanted to explain a little about how I decided to to really explore this
how I decided to to really explore this
how I decided to to really explore this territory to begin with you know I’ve
territory to begin with you know I’ve
territory to begin with you know I’ve actually I spent the vast majority of my
actually I spent the vast majority of my
actually I spent the vast majority of my reporting career here in Washington
reporting career here in Washington
reporting career here in Washington covering politicians many people said it
covering politicians many people said it
covering politicians many people said it was obviously a natural transition from
was obviously a natural transition from
was obviously a natural transition from politicians to sharks but I think
politicians to sharks but I think
politicians to sharks but I think they’re a great way to explore the ocean
they’re a great way to explore the ocean
they’re a great way to explore the ocean both because they play such a vital
both because they play such a vital
both because they play such a vital royal there they’re clearly in peril but
royal there they’re clearly in peril but
royal there they’re clearly in peril but also because we have a connection to
also because we have a connection to
also because we have a connection to them in a way that we don’t to a lot of
them in a way that we don’t to a lot of
them in a way that we don’t to a lot of other fish I think that our relationship
other fish I think that our relationship
other fish I think that our relationship with them does tell us a lot about our
with them does tell us a lot about our
with them does tell us a lot about our broader world and so and and you have a
broader world and so and and you have a
broader world and so and and you have a great advantage because sharks are
great advantage because sharks are
great advantage because sharks are globally distributed and so there’s so
globally distributed and so there’s so
globally distributed and so there’s so many different ways you can look at the
many different ways you can look at the
many different ways you can look at the role that they’ve they’ve played
role that they’ve they’ve played
role that they’ve they’ve played historically in in different regions and
historically in in different regions and
historically in in different regions and and it gives you a sense of human
and it gives you a sense of human
and it gives you a sense of human society as well as the natural world and
society as well as the natural world and
society as well as the natural world and so in order to get a full and complete
so in order to get a full and complete
so in order to get a full and complete perspective on what has happened with
perspective on what has happened with
perspective on what has happened with sharks and the human shark relationship
sharks and the human shark relationship
sharks and the human shark relationship I think it’s really important to look at
I think it’s really important to look at
I think it’s really important to look at how they’ve been viewed over time how
how they’ve been viewed over time how
how they’ve been viewed over time how that’s changed and also you know get out
that’s changed and also you know get out
that’s changed and also you know get out of the traditional Western perspective
of the traditional Western perspective
of the traditional Western perspective modern-day perspective we have which of
modern-day perspective we have which of
modern-day perspective we have which of course has been shaped by things like
course has been shaped by things like
course has been shaped by things like jaws and so for example if you go back
jaws and so for example if you go back
jaws and so for example if you go back and look at the countries and
and look at the countries and
and look at the countries and communities and call
communities and call
communities and call with the most detailed and rich historic
with the most detailed and rich historic
with the most detailed and rich historic relationship with sharks which often
relationship with sharks which often
relationship with sharks which often connect to faith traditions their island
connect to faith traditions their island
connect to faith traditions their island cultures and Nations which is not it’s
cultures and Nations which is not it’s
cultures and Nations which is not it’s not surprising what is more surprising
not surprising what is more surprising
not surprising what is more surprising is the fact that they have a much more
is the fact that they have a much more
is the fact that they have a much more nuanced relationship with sharks than
nuanced relationship with sharks than
nuanced relationship with sharks than than I do that this is a picture of
than I do that this is a picture of
than I do that this is a picture of Salaam Carson Bay shark caller from
Salaam Carson Bay shark caller from
Salaam Carson Bay shark caller from Papua New Guinea which is one of the few
Papua New Guinea which is one of the few
Papua New Guinea which is one of the few places in the world that continues to
places in the world that continues to
places in the world that continues to have a faith tradition centered on
have a faith tradition centered on
have a faith tradition centered on sharks and in in in this particular
sharks and in in in this particular
sharks and in in in this particular tradition where you have individuals
tradition where you have individuals
tradition where you have individuals like Salaam Carson Bay who go out in an
like Salaam Carson Bay who go out in an
like Salaam Carson Bay who go out in an individual canoe shake the coconut
individual canoe shake the coconut
individual canoe shake the coconut rattle and really deliberately try to
rattle and really deliberately try to
rattle and really deliberately try to summon sharks and engage in combat with
summon sharks and engage in combat with
summon sharks and engage in combat with them in order to bring them back for
them in order to bring them back for
them in order to bring them back for important occasions they see sharks is
important occasions they see sharks is
important occasions they see sharks is very powerful and as entities that can
very powerful and as entities that can
very powerful and as entities that can exercise their power both for good and
exercise their power both for good and
exercise their power both for good and for L and I think that in many ways
for L and I think that in many ways
for L and I think that in many ways that’s a perfectly reasonable and in
that’s a perfectly reasonable and in
that’s a perfectly reasonable and in some ways some you know rational way to
some ways some you know rational way to
some ways some you know rational way to view sharks in many of these cultures
view sharks in many of these cultures
view sharks in many of these cultures you see a really personal relationship
you see a really personal relationship
you see a really personal relationship tribal or community or familial
tribal or community or familial
tribal or community or familial relationship with with sharks where
relationship with with sharks where
relationship with with sharks where they’re in many ways they you know again
they’re in many ways they you know again
they’re in many ways they you know again will protect some individuals or
will protect some individuals or
will protect some individuals or communities and and attack others and so
communities and and attack others and so
communities and and attack others and so for example the Hawaiians have one of
for example the Hawaiians have one of
for example the Hawaiians have one of the most elaborate folklore traditions
the most elaborate folklore traditions
the most elaborate folklore traditions involving sharks and they have a number
involving sharks and they have a number
involving sharks and they have a number of different deities they have very
of different deities they have very
of different deities they have very powerful broader gods the shark God for
powerful broader gods the shark God for
powerful broader gods the shark God for example is credited with inventing
example is credited with inventing
example is credited with inventing surfing which is very interesting when
surfing which is very interesting when
surfing which is very interesting when you consider that surfing and sharks
you consider that surfing and sharks
you consider that surfing and sharks often intersect even in in today’s
often intersect even in in today’s
often intersect even in in today’s society but also they have individuals
society but also they have individuals
society but also they have individuals deities called a Makua who were operated
deities called a Makua who were operated
deities called a Makua who were operated in a very important way on the on the
in a very important way on the on the
in a very important way on the on the village and familial level where they
village and familial level where they
village and familial level where they were basically akin to a mafia Godfather
were basically akin to a mafia Godfather
were basically akin to a mafia Godfather that essentially if you paid homage to
that essentially if you paid homage to
that essentially if you paid homage to to your a Makua that a Makua in in
to your a Makua that a Makua in in
to your a Makua that a Makua in in return would do things for you whether
return would do things for you whether
return would do things for you whether it’s ensure that you had a decent fish
it’s ensure that you had a decent fish
it’s ensure that you had a decent fish catch or protect you when you were out
catch or protect you when you were out
catch or protect you when you were out at sea or alternative
at sea or alternative
at sea or alternative again you know if perhaps the
again you know if perhaps the
again you know if perhaps the neighboring village or someone had
neighboring village or someone had
neighboring village or someone had angered you could could exact
angered you could could exact
angered you could could exact retribution Hawaiians had basically the
retribution Hawaiians had basically the
retribution Hawaiians had basically the most detailed legends and if you look at
most detailed legends and if you look at
most detailed legends and if you look at it they have many variations for example
it they have many variations for example
it they have many variations for example on a particular legend Nanoha the shark
on a particular legend Nanoha the shark
on a particular legend Nanoha the shark man who is was half half-human half
man who is was half half-human half
man who is was half half-human half shark and ultimately ended up developing
shark and ultimately ended up developing
shark and ultimately ended up developing a taste for human flesh and would warn
a taste for human flesh and would warn
a taste for human flesh and would warn people when they went in through the
people when they went in through the
people when they went in through the water that they could run into danger
water that they could run into danger
water that they could run into danger and you know obviously some of these
and you know obviously some of these
and you know obviously some of these these individuals did you know which
these individuals did you know which
these individuals did you know which seems like a very understandable way
seems like a very understandable way
seems like a very understandable way they explained it again they also had in
they explained it again they also had in
they explained it again they also had in whether it’s in Hawaiian culture or
whether it’s in Hawaiian culture or
whether it’s in Hawaiian culture or Japanese or Vietnamese culture they had
Japanese or Vietnamese culture they had
Japanese or Vietnamese culture they had the idea that sharks could protect you
the idea that sharks could protect you
the idea that sharks could protect you when you were at sea and so you you see
when you were at sea and so you you see
when you were at sea and so you you see this you know across the world and again
this you know across the world and again
this you know across the world and again many of these traditions have faded at
many of these traditions have faded at
many of these traditions have faded at this point but they really were ways
this point but they really were ways
this point but they really were ways that people helped saw you know see the
that people helped saw you know see the
that people helped saw you know see the world in medieval times they did
world in medieval times they did
world in medieval times they did certainly have some focus on nature as a
certainly have some focus on nature as a
certainly have some focus on nature as a pertain to the forest but when it came
pertain to the forest but when it came
pertain to the forest but when it came to the sea that really wasn’t something
to the sea that really wasn’t something
to the sea that really wasn’t something they paid attention to and even when for
they paid attention to and even when for
they paid attention to and even when for example they incorporated sharks
example they incorporated sharks
example they incorporated sharks fossilized teeth into their rituals
fossilized teeth into their rituals
fossilized teeth into their rituals which they did they had the they took
which they did they had the they took
which they did they had the they took the teeth and they dipped them in there
the teeth and they dipped them in there
the teeth and they dipped them in there were wine goblets and they refer to them
were wine goblets and they refer to them
were wine goblets and they refer to them as gloss Patraeus Dragon tongue stones
as gloss Patraeus Dragon tongue stones
as gloss Patraeus Dragon tongue stones they thought they came from dragons and
they thought they came from dragons and
they thought they came from dragons and did not know they came from sharks and
did not know they came from sharks and
did not know they came from sharks and this is this moment where particularly
this is this moment where particularly
this is this moment where particularly the Western world just had no sense of
the Western world just had no sense of
the Western world just had no sense of the role that sharks played and I think
the role that sharks played and I think
the role that sharks played and I think what’s so interesting is again if you
what’s so interesting is again if you
what’s so interesting is again if you look before this period you know there
look before this period you know there
look before this period you know there was a kind of an intermediate period
was a kind of an intermediate period
was a kind of an intermediate period between kind of the more traditional
between kind of the more traditional
between kind of the more traditional Island culture and-and-and the Middle
Island culture and-and-and the Middle
Island culture and-and-and the Middle Ages where if you look at the Greeks and
Ages where if you look at the Greeks and
Ages where if you look at the Greeks and the Romans they both provided some
the Romans they both provided some
the Romans they both provided some scientific and some mythical accounts of
scientific and some mythical accounts of
scientific and some mythical accounts of sharks but for example Aristotle
sharks but for example Aristotle
sharks but for example Aristotle provided detailed descriptions of sharks
provided detailed descriptions of sharks
provided detailed descriptions of sharks copulating where he talked about them
copulating where he talked about them
copulating where he talked about them going after each other like dogs or you
going after each other like dogs or you
going after each other like dogs or you could look at the Greek poet Appian who
could look at the Greek poet Appian who
could look at the Greek poet Appian who talked about a ravenous creature CATIA
talked about a ravenous creature CATIA
talked about a ravenous creature CATIA which you know what would satisfy its
which you know what would satisfy its
which you know what would satisfy its its insatiable jaws but you know they
its insatiable jaws but you know they
its insatiable jaws but you know they were at least observing and kind of
were at least observing and kind of
were at least observing and kind of translating shark behavior into their
translating shark behavior into their
translating shark behavior into their world but in the
world but in the
world but in the evil period that that absolutely
evil period that that absolutely
evil period that that absolutely disappeared and so then when the Western
disappeared and so then when the Western
disappeared and so then when the Western world re encountered sharks it was
world re encountered sharks it was
world re encountered sharks it was really through seafaring and this was
really through seafaring and this was
really through seafaring and this was probably the worst possible way in order
probably the worst possible way in order
probably the worst possible way in order to reconnect with sharks and so the
to reconnect with sharks and so the
to reconnect with sharks and so the image you see here is one many of you
image you see here is one many of you
image you see here is one many of you might be familiar with Watson and the
might be familiar with Watson and the
might be familiar with Watson and the shark I think one thing just an artistic
shark I think one thing just an artistic
shark I think one thing just an artistic commentary on it which I think you know
commentary on it which I think you know
commentary on it which I think you know shows you how how unfamiliar the Western
shows you how how unfamiliar the Western
shows you how how unfamiliar the Western world was at this point in the 1700s
world was at this point in the 1700s
world was at this point in the 1700s when this painting was was done as John
when this painting was was done as John
when this painting was was done as John Copley who was commissioned by Brook
Copley who was commissioned by Brook
Copley who was commissioned by Brook Watson to do the painting if you if you
Watson to do the painting if you if you
Watson to do the painting if you if you look he paints lips on the shark he just
look he paints lips on the shark he just
look he paints lips on the shark he just really had no idea what the shark looked
really had no idea what the shark looked
really had no idea what the shark looked like but you know the fact is when asked
like but you know the fact is when asked
like but you know the fact is when asked to portray a shark he he really just
to portray a shark he he really just
to portray a shark he he really just made it up more broadly speaking you
made it up more broadly speaking you
made it up more broadly speaking you were just at this moment where seafarers
were just at this moment where seafarers
were just at this moment where seafarers were dying in shark strikes and so you
were dying in shark strikes and so you
were dying in shark strikes and so you saw the first recorded shark attack in
saw the first recorded shark attack in
saw the first recorded shark attack in history in the late 1500s comes from a
history in the late 1500s comes from a
history in the late 1500s comes from a Portuguese sailor who had the misfortune
Portuguese sailor who had the misfortune
Portuguese sailor who had the misfortune to fall overboard and couldn’t be saved
to fall overboard and couldn’t be saved
to fall overboard and couldn’t be saved by his by his companions and and then if
by his by his companions and and then if
by his by his companions and and then if you go you know if you look forward
you go you know if you look forward
you go you know if you look forward there’s there just many tales of sharks
there’s there just many tales of sharks
there’s there just many tales of sharks circling around different ships and and
circling around different ships and and
circling around different ships and and you know sailors either you know
you know sailors either you know
you know sailors either you know basically almost kind of like a wage
basically almost kind of like a wage
basically almost kind of like a wage dispute in like a labor dispute that
dispute in like a labor dispute that
dispute in like a labor dispute that they complained that the captains
they complained that the captains
they complained that the captains couldn’t care less if they ended up in
couldn’t care less if they ended up in
couldn’t care less if they ended up in the water with sharks and things like
the water with sharks and things like
the water with sharks and things like that and you know time and time again
that and you know time and time again
that and you know time and time again they were they were seen as this threat
they were they were seen as this threat
they were they were seen as this threat and in fact in certain instances they
and in fact in certain instances they
and in fact in certain instances they would also follow slave ships that were
would also follow slave ships that were
would also follow slave ships that were traveling from africa to the west and to
traveling from africa to the west and to
traveling from africa to the west and to the point that actually a member of the
the point that actually a member of the
the point that actually a member of the House of Lords basically presented and I
House of Lords basically presented and I
House of Lords basically presented and I who’s an abolitionist presented an
who’s an abolitionist presented an
who’s an abolitionist presented an ironic petition on behalf of the Sharks
ironic petition on behalf of the Sharks
ironic petition on behalf of the Sharks of Africa basically saying please keep
of Africa basically saying please keep
of Africa basically saying please keep up the slave trade because otherwise
up the slave trade because otherwise
up the slave trade because otherwise we’re gonna run out of food to eat and
we’re gonna run out of food to eat and
we’re gonna run out of food to eat and so you know in all these ways sharks
so you know in all these ways sharks
so you know in all these ways sharks were seen as you know these negative
were seen as you know these negative
were seen as you know these negative creatures that we’re preying on you know
creatures that we’re preying on you know
creatures that we’re preying on you know whether with slaves or sailors people
whether with slaves or sailors people
whether with slaves or sailors people who were out at sea but sharks were
who were out at sea but sharks were
who were out at sea but sharks were still seen as a fairly abstract threat
still seen as a fairly abstract threat
still seen as a fairly abstract threat and what changed in actually the United
and what changed in actually the United
and what changed in actually the United States and also a few other countries
States and also a few other countries
States and also a few other countries were
were
were beach goers started interacting with
beach goers started interacting with
beach goers started interacting with sharks and so for example this is the
sharks and so for example this is the
sharks and so for example this is the front page from the Philadelphia
front page from the Philadelphia
front page from the Philadelphia Inquirer referring to a series of shark
Inquirer referring to a series of shark
Inquirer referring to a series of shark strikes off the New Jersey Shore in 1916
strikes off the New Jersey Shore in 1916
strikes off the New Jersey Shore in 1916 this in some ways was the inspiration
this in some ways was the inspiration
this in some ways was the inspiration for the movie Jaws again people who had
for the movie Jaws again people who had
for the movie Jaws again people who had been familiar with sharks but they did
been familiar with sharks but they did
been familiar with sharks but they did not know to you know to what extent it
not know to you know to what extent it
not know to you know to what extent it could be you know potentially something
could be you know potentially something
could be you know potentially something that would come up when they went to the
that would come up when they went to the
that would come up when they went to the beach and so when you had four people
beach and so when you had four people
beach and so when you had four people who were killed within a span of 12 days
who were killed within a span of 12 days
who were killed within a span of 12 days that was the moment when you really saw
that was the moment when you really saw
that was the moment when you really saw people think of sharks as you know a
people think of sharks as you know a
people think of sharks as you know a threat at any point you know saying
threat at any point you know saying
threat at any point you know saying government to aid fight to stamp out the
government to aid fight to stamp out the
government to aid fight to stamp out the shark or is that in fact Woodrow Wilson
shark or is that in fact Woodrow Wilson
shark or is that in fact Woodrow Wilson who was president at the time and
who was president at the time and
who was president at the time and started his political career in New
started his political career in New
started his political career in New Jersey actually became it came under
Jersey actually became it came under
Jersey actually became it came under attack for the fact that he did nothing
attack for the fact that he did nothing
attack for the fact that he did nothing to halt these shark strikes and that’s
to halt these shark strikes and that’s
to halt these shark strikes and that’s one thing that you see time and time
one thing that you see time and time
one thing that you see time and time again that people somehow think that
again that people somehow think that
again that people somehow think that this is this is something that you could
this is this is something that you could
this is this is something that you could hold politicians accountable for yeah
hold politicians accountable for yeah
hold politicians accountable for yeah there is actually a couple of academics
there is actually a couple of academics
there is actually a couple of academics including one at Princeton who recently
including one at Princeton who recently
including one at Princeton who recently found that he in fact suffered a
found that he in fact suffered a
found that he in fact suffered a political penalty in New Jersey and
political penalty in New Jersey and
political penalty in New Jersey and particularly the three counties that
particularly the three counties that
particularly the three counties that were most affected by the drop in
were most affected by the drop in
were most affected by the drop in tourism and so it’s just interesting to
tourism and so it’s just interesting to
tourism and so it’s just interesting to see how voters really did punish Woodrow
see how voters really did punish Woodrow
see how voters really did punish Woodrow Wilson and thought that you know there
Wilson and thought that you know there
Wilson and thought that you know there was something he could do to ensure that
was something he could do to ensure that
was something he could do to ensure that they could be safe at sea one of the
they could be safe at sea one of the
they could be safe at sea one of the other really interesting things that
other really interesting things that
other really interesting things that comes up around this time is that you
comes up around this time is that you
comes up around this time is that you see the way people talk about these
see the way people talk about these
see the way people talk about these moments in the water with sharks changes
moments in the water with sharks changes
moments in the water with sharks changes so for example at the same time in the
so for example at the same time in the
so for example at the same time in the turn of the last century there were a
turn of the last century there were a
turn of the last century there were a series of shark strikes off Australia
series of shark strikes off Australia
series of shark strikes off Australia and the politicians there did what
and the politicians there did what
and the politicians there did what politicians do you know whether you’re
politicians do you know whether you’re
politicians do you know whether you’re talking about Virginia or the United
talking about Virginia or the United
talking about Virginia or the United States or elsewhere which is they
States or elsewhere which is they
States or elsewhere which is they created what they called the shark
created what they called the shark
created what they called the shark Menace committee a task force in New
Menace committee a task force in New
Menace committee a task force in New South Wales that was supposed to deal
South Wales that was supposed to deal
South Wales that was supposed to deal with this issue and what’s fascinating
with this issue and what’s fascinating
with this issue and what’s fascinating is initially they they published a
is initially they they published a
is initially they they published a report and they use the terms sharks
report and they use the terms sharks
report and they use the terms sharks shark accidents and shark attacks
shark accidents and shark attacks
shark accidents and shark attacks interchangeably they use them an equal
interchangeably they use them an equal
interchangeably they use them an equal number of times roughly and you know
number of times roughly and you know
number of times roughly and you know it’s so interesting because today what
it’s so interesting because today what
it’s so interesting because today what never talks about a shark accident the
never talks about a shark accident the
never talks about a shark accident the way you talk about a car accident or
way you talk about a car accident or
way you talk about a car accident or something like that we are
something like that we are
something like that we are they always talk about attacks and it
they always talk about attacks and it
they always talk about attacks and it provides obviously a level of
provides obviously a level of
provides obviously a level of intentionality that you’re ascribing to
intentionality that you’re ascribing to
intentionality that you’re ascribing to that incident and you know this in many
that incident and you know this in many
that incident and you know this in many ways what happened is the terminology
ways what happened is the terminology
ways what happened is the terminology attack really took currency because
attack really took currency because
attack really took currency because there was a Sydney surgeon named Victor
there was a Sydney surgeon named Victor
there was a Sydney surgeon named Victor coppleson and he was called in to
coppleson and he was called in to
coppleson and he was called in to initially deal with some of these shark
initially deal with some of these shark
initially deal with some of these shark strikes and over time he really pressed
strikes and over time he really pressed
strikes and over time he really pressed he developed what you call the rogue
he developed what you call the rogue
he developed what you call the rogue shark theory the idea that there were
shark theory the idea that there were
shark theory the idea that there were sharks in the water that were hunting
sharks in the water that were hunting
sharks in the water that were hunting humans and he really pushed he published
humans and he really pushed he published
humans and he really pushed he published a book called shark attack and published
a book called shark attack and published
a book called shark attack and published this you know kind of press this idea in
this you know kind of press this idea in
this you know kind of press this idea in in the public mind that sharks were out
in the public mind that sharks were out
in the public mind that sharks were out to get us well he was effective in
to get us well he was effective in
to get us well he was effective in campaigning against sharks it really was
campaigning against sharks it really was
campaigning against sharks it really was jaws that transformed the mindset of an
jaws that transformed the mindset of an
jaws that transformed the mindset of an entire generation this is the mechanical
entire generation this is the mechanical
entire generation this is the mechanical shark
shark
shark Bruce named for Steven Spielberg’s
Bruce named for Steven Spielberg’s
Bruce named for Steven Spielberg’s lawyer it’s worth noting obviously it
lawyer it’s worth noting obviously it
lawyer it’s worth noting obviously it depends on what age you are but there’s
depends on what age you are but there’s
depends on what age you are but there’s there’s just no question that that jaws
there’s just no question that that jaws
there’s just no question that that jaws had an incredible impact on how people
had an incredible impact on how people
had an incredible impact on how people viewed the chances of being struck by a
viewed the chances of being struck by a
viewed the chances of being struck by a shark when I think of wine sharks are so
shark when I think of wine sharks are so
shark when I think of wine sharks are so much scarier than other potential
much scarier than other potential
much scarier than other potential predators of humans I think it comes
predators of humans I think it comes
predators of humans I think it comes from the fact that they can strike out
from the fact that they can strike out
from the fact that they can strike out of the darkness without warning there’s
of the darkness without warning there’s
of the darkness without warning there’s something about that that has us
something about that that has us
something about that that has us hardwired to be terrified you know it’s
hardwired to be terrified you know it’s
hardwired to be terrified you know it’s interesting while you know grizzly bears
interesting while you know grizzly bears
interesting while you know grizzly bears might be scary and so are mountain lions
might be scary and so are mountain lions
might be scary and so are mountain lions people do not have the same visceral
people do not have the same visceral
people do not have the same visceral hatred and and terror associated with
hatred and and terror associated with
hatred and and terror associated with those animals or you know for example
those animals or you know for example
those animals or you know for example polar bears which which can attack
polar bears which which can attack
polar bears which which can attack humans and did in fact in an incident a
humans and did in fact in an incident a
humans and did in fact in an incident a tragic incident this summer but you know
tragic incident this summer but you know
tragic incident this summer but you know it’s the idea that you would never know
it’s the idea that you would never know
it’s the idea that you would never know if if a shark is coming that I think
if if a shark is coming that I think
if if a shark is coming that I think both makes them scary and allows people
both makes them scary and allows people
both makes them scary and allows people to exaggerate the threat associated with
to exaggerate the threat associated with
to exaggerate the threat associated with them you can slice and dice the
them you can slice and dice the
them you can slice and dice the statistics a number of different ways
statistics a number of different ways
statistics a number of different ways but when you look at the number of
but when you look at the number of
but when you look at the number of lethal shark strikes every year globally
lethal shark strikes every year globally
lethal shark strikes every year globally you know they have averaged 5 5 a year
you know they have averaged 5 5 a year
you know they have averaged 5 5 a year in recent decades were actually at
in recent decades were actually at
in recent decades were actually at annually high point where we have
annually high point where we have
annually high point where we have doubled that this year but that’s still
doubled that this year but that’s still
doubled that this year but that’s still a fraction of
a fraction of
a fraction of number of deaths from you name it
number of deaths from you name it
number of deaths from you name it whether your and talk about the heatwave
whether your and talk about the heatwave
whether your and talk about the heatwave that we had here in the United States
that we had here in the United States
that we had here in the United States this summer going to see fireworks
this summer going to see fireworks
this summer going to see fireworks defective toasters vending machines you
defective toasters vending machines you
defective toasters vending machines you know there are many more things you
know there are many more things you
know there are many more things you might want to be you know more terrified
might want to be you know more terrified
might want to be you know more terrified than sharks but having you know having
than sharks but having you know having
than sharks but having you know having this perception that sharks are
this perception that sharks are
this perception that sharks are targeting us of course makes it much
targeting us of course makes it much
targeting us of course makes it much more accessible acceptable to target
more accessible acceptable to target
more accessible acceptable to target them and so what you saw is that there
them and so what you saw is that there
them and so what you saw is that there was kind of a low level you know of
was kind of a low level you know of
was kind of a low level you know of recreational shark fishing in the United
recreational shark fishing in the United
recreational shark fishing in the United States in the 1950s and 60s and it
States in the 1950s and 60s and it
States in the 1950s and 60s and it really did take off after Jaws this is
really did take off after Jaws this is
really did take off after Jaws this is mark the shark party on Oh who’s a
mark the shark party on Oh who’s a
mark the shark party on Oh who’s a commercial charter boat captain in Miami
commercial charter boat captain in Miami
commercial charter boat captain in Miami he operates off Miami Beach and his
he operates off Miami Beach and his
he operates off Miami Beach and his entire business is taking whether it’s
entire business is taking whether it’s
entire business is taking whether it’s celebrities bachelor parties you know
celebrities bachelor parties you know
celebrities bachelor parties you know folks who are in Miami for convention
folks who are in Miami for convention
folks who are in Miami for convention out to catch a shark while there are
out to catch a shark while there are
out to catch a shark while there are many other causes of shark mortality
many other causes of shark mortality
many other causes of shark mortality that will get into recreational fishing
that will get into recreational fishing
that will get into recreational fishing off the United States accounts for
off the United States accounts for
off the United States accounts for 200,000 sharks being killed each year
200,000 sharks being killed each year
200,000 sharks being killed each year according to federal statistics
according to federal statistics
according to federal statistics but while recreational fishing is it’s
but while recreational fishing is it’s
but while recreational fishing is it’s significant it’s not as much of a driver
significant it’s not as much of a driver
significant it’s not as much of a driver as industrial fishing when a lot of
as industrial fishing when a lot of
as industrial fishing when a lot of these industrial fishing vessels are
these industrial fishing vessels are
these industrial fishing vessels are putting out long lines and targeting
putting out long lines and targeting
putting out long lines and targeting tuna and swordfish there’s no
tuna and swordfish there’s no
tuna and swordfish there’s no distinction that’s being made by the
distinction that’s being made by the
distinction that’s being made by the fish that are lured by that bait and so
fish that are lured by that bait and so
fish that are lured by that bait and so sharks are often getting caught in those
sharks are often getting caught in those
sharks are often getting caught in those Nets are caught on those lines and so
Nets are caught on those lines and so
Nets are caught on those lines and so you have millions of sharks that that
you have millions of sharks that that
you have millions of sharks that that are really being killed each year and
are really being killed each year and
are really being killed each year and and accidentally as bycatch but that
and accidentally as bycatch but that
and accidentally as bycatch but that said there’s also the intentional
said there’s also the intentional
said there’s also the intentional fishing of sharks which certainly well
fishing of sharks which certainly well
fishing of sharks which certainly well you know again it’s it’s it’s I think
you know again it’s it’s it’s I think
you know again it’s it’s it’s I think it’s very interesting that it’s really
it’s very interesting that it’s really
it’s very interesting that it’s really debatable whether accidental fishing of
debatable whether accidental fishing of
debatable whether accidental fishing of sharks or intentional fishing is is a
sharks or intentional fishing is is a
sharks or intentional fishing is is a greater driver of shark shark deaths
greater driver of shark shark deaths
greater driver of shark shark deaths each year there’s no question that there
each year there’s no question that there
each year there’s no question that there is a growing demand for the shark fins
is a growing demand for the shark fins
is a growing demand for the shark fins and that’s what you see here this is
and that’s what you see here this is
and that’s what you see here this is some of these photos are ones that I
some of these photos are ones that I
some of these photos are ones that I took when I was reporting and whether it
took when I was reporting and whether it
took when I was reporting and whether it was Hong Kong or elsewhere looking at
was Hong Kong or elsewhere looking at
was Hong Kong or elsewhere looking at the fin trade and so many of you might
the fin trade and so many of you might
the fin trade and so many of you might be familiar with an Asian delicacy
be familiar with an Asian delicacy
be familiar with an Asian delicacy shark’s fin soup which has become quite
shark’s fin soup which has become quite
shark’s fin soup which has become quite a status symbol had been something only
a status symbol had been something only
a status symbol had been something only for elites and has become increasingly
for elites and has become increasingly
for elites and has become increasingly popular
popular
popular and it really is driving the commercial
and it really is driving the commercial
and it really is driving the commercial demand for sharks worldwide so Hong Kong
demand for sharks worldwide so Hong Kong
demand for sharks worldwide so Hong Kong is where most of the the trade is
is where most of the the trade is
is where most of the the trade is centered while they’re there being
centered while they’re there being
centered while they’re there being caught all over the world but really
caught all over the world but really
caught all over the world but really about 80 percent of all shark fins at
about 80 percent of all shark fins at
about 80 percent of all shark fins at some point go through neighborhoods like
some point go through neighborhoods like
some point go through neighborhoods like this where you see things like shark fin
this where you see things like shark fin
this where you see things like shark fin City because you know this this is where
City because you know this this is where
City because you know this this is where they can move the product most
they can move the product most
they can move the product most efficiently and and there are acceptable
efficiently and and there are acceptable
efficiently and and there are acceptable ways to kind of route it route at
ways to kind of route it route at
ways to kind of route it route at worldwide the sharks are being caught
worldwide the sharks are being caught
worldwide the sharks are being caught you know across the globe this is a
you know across the globe this is a
you know across the globe this is a picture of me in Belize where I was
picture of me in Belize where I was
picture of me in Belize where I was actually with researchers looking at
actually with researchers looking at
actually with researchers looking at live sharks but we had gone to get bait
live sharks but we had gone to get bait
live sharks but we had gone to get bait that morning just you know so that we
that morning just you know so that we
that morning just you know so that we could catch him and release some sharks
could catch him and release some sharks
could catch him and release some sharks and there’s a woman who had caught a
and there’s a woman who had caught a
and there’s a woman who had caught a nurse shark where she sold the fins
nurse shark where she sold the fins
nurse shark where she sold the fins right away but she you know couldn’t
right away but she you know couldn’t
right away but she you know couldn’t sell the body because there wasn’t
sell the body because there wasn’t
sell the body because there wasn’t really the demand for meat and this is
really the demand for meat and this is
really the demand for meat and this is something you see time and time again
something you see time and time again
something you see time and time again that because the fins go for a hundred
that because the fins go for a hundred
that because the fins go for a hundred times the price of the meat per kilogram
times the price of the meat per kilogram
times the price of the meat per kilogram that they’re you know there’s still
that they’re you know there’s still
that they’re you know there’s still enough of a reason it to catch the
enough of a reason it to catch the
enough of a reason it to catch the Sharks and you know I find this
Sharks and you know I find this
Sharks and you know I find this fascinating you you see this that
fascinating you you see this that
fascinating you you see this that basically shark fins are an incredible
basically shark fins are an incredible
basically shark fins are an incredible commodity this is a this is a shark
commodity this is a this is a shark
commodity this is a this is a shark being finden in mexico and it’s it’s
being finden in mexico and it’s it’s
being finden in mexico and it’s it’s really you know when you consider it
really you know when you consider it
really you know when you consider it it’s incredibly easy to transport you
it’s incredibly easy to transport you
it’s incredibly easy to transport you dry it out and so it’s not like fresh
dry it out and so it’s not like fresh
dry it out and so it’s not like fresh fish that has to be shipped right away
fish that has to be shipped right away
fish that has to be shipped right away it’s something that you know in poor
it’s something that you know in poor
it’s something that you know in poor communities they can accumulate them
communities they can accumulate them
communities they can accumulate them over time and then you know whenever a
over time and then you know whenever a
over time and then you know whenever a vessel comes and a traitor’s is willing
vessel comes and a traitor’s is willing
vessel comes and a traitor’s is willing to pay money for it you can you can buy
to pay money for it you can you can buy
to pay money for it you can you can buy it and so that’s one of the reasons it’s
it and so that’s one of the reasons it’s
it and so that’s one of the reasons it’s just become such a highly valued and
just become such a highly valued and
just become such a highly valued and such an easy commodity to engage in
such an easy commodity to engage in
such an easy commodity to engage in worldwide when you look at the places
worldwide when you look at the places
worldwide when you look at the places where you have the many sharks those are
where you have the many sharks those are
where you have the many sharks those are often the healthiest coral reef
often the healthiest coral reef
often the healthiest coral reef ecosystems that you’re gonna detect in
ecosystems that you’re gonna detect in
ecosystems that you’re gonna detect in part because they act as what for
part because they act as what for
part because they act as what for example one scientist calls a garbage
example one scientist calls a garbage
example one scientist calls a garbage collector they take out the week in the
collector they take out the week in the
collector they take out the week in the second they also interact with mid-level
second they also interact with mid-level
second they also interact with mid-level predators and keep things going you
predators and keep things going you
predators and keep things going you think about sharks obviously consuming
think about sharks obviously consuming
think about sharks obviously consuming their prey which they do but I prefer to
their prey which they do but I prefer to
their prey which they do but I prefer to think of them having their psychological
think of them having their psychological
think of them having their psychological role that they play in the sea and so
role that they play in the sea and so
role that they play in the sea and so for example there’s a marine biologist
for example there’s a marine biologist
for example there’s a marine biologist Boris worm who has looked into the idea
Boris worm who has looked into the idea
Boris worm who has looked into the idea that sharks sometimes can just for
that sharks sometimes can just for
that sharks sometimes can just for example in Australia just in
example in Australia just in
example in Australia just in other animals from like such as Duggan’s
other animals from like such as Duggan’s
other animals from like such as Duggan’s from over grazing in a steep grass
from over grazing in a steep grass
from over grazing in a steep grass habitat so I consider that maybe the
habitat so I consider that maybe the
habitat so I consider that maybe the most benevolent way in which sharks can
most benevolent way in which sharks can
most benevolent way in which sharks can enforce you know healthy ecosystems and
enforce you know healthy ecosystems and
enforce you know healthy ecosystems and you know it is worth noting that there
you know it is worth noting that there
you know it is worth noting that there still is a debate about exactly what
still is a debate about exactly what
still is a debate about exactly what role sharks playing in the ocean you
role sharks playing in the ocean you
role sharks playing in the ocean you know for example are they the same as
know for example are they the same as
know for example are they the same as terrestrial predators such as wolves and
terrestrial predators such as wolves and
terrestrial predators such as wolves and how we’ve seen the reintroduction of
how we’ve seen the reintroduction of
how we’ve seen the reintroduction of wolves help restore Yellowstone or do
wolves help restore Yellowstone or do
wolves help restore Yellowstone or do they play the same role as lions or
they play the same role as lions or
they play the same role as lions or Tigers you know in Africa and the answer
Tigers you know in Africa and the answer
Tigers you know in Africa and the answer is were you know we’re not entirely sure
is were you know we’re not entirely sure
is were you know we’re not entirely sure and I think this is one of those areas
and I think this is one of those areas
and I think this is one of those areas where you are gonna see more research as
where you are gonna see more research as
where you are gonna see more research as we move forward and that’s that’s gonna
we move forward and that’s that’s gonna
we move forward and that’s that’s gonna answer some of these questions that are
answer some of these questions that are
answer some of these questions that are still out there
still out there
still out there [Music]
[Music]
[Music] you
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