Jump in shark attacks linked to global warming

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hark attacks are presently big news in south east Queensland.

Reports of fresh attacks are almost nightly occurrences on television news with stories of people suffering “miracle” escapes or injuries sufficiently bad enough to send them to hospital.

“Beach closed” signs are evidence of the attacks, frightening many out of the water except the hardy, and apparently fearless, surfers who persist in the pursuit of their sport.

The idea that global warming might be playing a role in the increase of frequency of attacks may seem like a long box to draw, but the close examination of the facts brings legitimacy to the idea.

Sharks like warmer, salty water – our oceans are warming and hugely reduced run-off of fresh water because of droughts means salt levels are becoming higher.

To complicate matters even further, the warmer temperatures are sending more people to our oceans in search of relief from the heat and so we have what some are declaring a “perfect storm” – conditions that encourage sharks to swim near our shores and more people (shark food) in the water.

Read the EcoWatch story - “Is Climate Change to Blame for Increased Number of Shark Attacks?”