Imagine setting off on an incredible journey across the vast Pacific Ocean. One of the most exciting parts of this adventure is encountering the ocean’s fascinating creatures, like sharks. Ben, our adventurer, had a close encounter with a shark just three meters away from his boat. Before starting this journey, Ben and his team consulted with a shark expert, Dr. Charlie Huveneers, to learn how to safely share the ocean with these amazing animals.
Sharks often get a bad reputation, but most of the hundreds of shark species are harmless to humans. Dr. Charlie and his team study shark behavior to find ways for humans and sharks to coexist peacefully. Sharks are naturally curious, especially those living in the open ocean. They need to explore their surroundings to survive. While shark attacks are rare, Ben needed to be cautious as he swam in remote areas where white sharks might be present.
To reduce the risk of a shark encounter, Ben’s team explored different deterrents. These include chemical repellents and special wetsuits designed to blend in with the ocean. However, one of the most promising deterrents uses the shark’s own super senses against them. Sharks have a unique ability to detect electromagnetic fields through small pores on their snouts called the ampullae of Lorenzini.
Dr. Charlie’s team tested five different deterrents in areas known for shark activity. They used tuna to attract sharks and observed their reactions. Out of 300 trials with 44 sharks, only one deterrent, the Shark Shield, effectively changed shark behavior. This device creates an electric field that annoys sharks without harming them. When the Shark Shield was used, sharks took the bait only 40% of the time, compared to 96% without it.
Despite these findings, many people still fear sharks. Studies show that the public often overestimates the likelihood of shark attacks. In reality, sharks are fascinating creatures with over 500 different species, many of which remain a mystery. We still have much to learn about their habits and life cycles.
Ben’s journey is not just about swimming across the ocean; it’s about observing and understanding marine life. Sharks are not the monsters portrayed in movies like “Jaws.” They are curious and awe-inspiring animals. Many people who dive with sharks for the first time find the experience beautiful rather than frightening.
Ben’s swim across the Pacific is an extraordinary adventure. While he must be cautious, he is lucky to witness these incredible animals in their natural habitat. To follow Ben’s journey, visit Seeker.com/theswim for daily updates, real-time progress tracking, and more videos about the science onboard Seeker. Don’t miss the next episode, and remember to subscribe for more exciting content!
Research and create a presentation about a specific shark species. Include information on its habitat, diet, behavior, and any unique characteristics. Share your findings with the class to help everyone understand the diversity and importance of sharks in the ocean ecosystem.
Using what you’ve learned about shark senses, design your own shark deterrent. Consider how it would work and what materials you would use. Present your design to the class, explaining how it could help humans and sharks coexist safely.
Participate in a class debate on whether sharks are more of a threat or an important part of the ocean ecosystem. Use facts from the article and additional research to support your arguments. This will help you develop critical thinking and public speaking skills.
Work in groups to create a campaign aimed at changing public perceptions of sharks. Design posters, social media posts, or a short video to educate others about the importance of sharks and how to safely share the ocean with them.
Take a virtual tour of the Pacific Ocean using online resources or virtual reality. Identify different marine species you encounter, including sharks, and note their behaviors and interactions. Share your observations with the class to enhance everyone’s understanding of marine life.
In the story of an epic journey across the Pacific Ocean, one particular character might quickly come to mind. Ben saw it first; it was straight on the bow of the boat, three meters away – it was bigger than Ben. Before we left, we managed to get in touch with a shark specialist to ask what to do in case of sharks. That specialist was Dr. Charlie Huveneers, a biologist who works to unlock the mysteries of shark behavior. Charlie and his team hope to find scientifically sound ways to help sharks and humans share the ocean.
There are many situations when sharks and humans will be interacting in the same area without any incidents. Overall, some of these pelagic species are typically quite curious. Evolutionarily, if you’re living in the middle of the ocean, you’d need to be curious and investigate random objects to survive. Unfortunately, it’s hard to understand why, in some cases, sharks decide to attack. In Ben’s case, like any other human, the risks from shark attacks are very low. However, Ben will be spending a fair amount of time in the water, swimming in a fairly remote location where white sharks are more likely to occur.
Sharks have a fearsome reputation, but only a handful of the hundreds of known species could pose a threat to humans. Nonetheless, the crew consulted with Charlie on their options to lower Ben’s risk of a dangerous encounter. A deterrent is effective when it can reduce the risk of a shark bite. There are things like chemical repellents aimed at overwhelming the shark’s sense of smell, and wetsuits designed to camouflage the wearer; however, there’s no silver bullet.
It turns out that the same super sensory adaptations that have allowed these prehistoric predators to flourish in every ocean for millions of years may also be the key to how we can coexist with them today. The electromagnetic sense that sharks have is called the ampullae of Lorenzini. These are small pores located on the snout of sharks, filled with a conductive gel that allows them to detect very weak electromagnetic fields in the water.
To find out if technology can help keep both humans and sharks safe, Charlie and his team placed five different deterrents in known shark hangouts and attempted to lure the sharks with tasty tuna. Two of the deterrents were based on electric fields. They conducted a total of 300 trials, testing about 44 sharks and observing more than 1500 passes. The team found that only one of the deterrents tested had any effect on the behavior of the sharks: the Shark Shield, which targeted the sensitive ampullae.
When using the Shark Shield, it is quite annoying for sharks. Initially, they are curious and come close, but if they get too close, it becomes uncomfortable for them. It doesn’t harm them, but it is bothersome. Without any deterrent, the sharks were taking the bait about 96% of the time. Once the electric field deterrent was used, the proportion of bait taken by the sharks was reduced to 40%. The crew keeps this device aboard the dinghy while Ben swims, but Ben didn’t need it during his recent peaceful encounter with a mako shark.
However, some still find it difficult to imagine a moment with a shark that isn’t a threat. Studies have suggested that the public tends to overestimate the occurrence of shark attacks significantly. There’s so little we actually know about these fascinating fish. There are more than 500 different species of sharks, and many species are still unknown. We don’t even know their reproductive cycles or feeding habits.
The reason I stay in the water whenever we encounter sea life is to observe and understand it better. It’s not about the movie “Jaws” that we all know. Sharks are not like that. Sometimes they are curious, just like any other animals. When people first dive with sharks, they often say, “Wow, that was impressive. That was beautiful.” They are more in awe than in fear.
Ben’s swim across the Pacific is remarkable. Obviously, he has to be careful, but in most cases, he’ll be fortunate to observe these animals in a natural environment that not many people get to see. Be sure to visit Seeker.com/theswim to read daily updates from Ben Lecomte, track his progress in real-time, and watch more videos about the science happening onboard Seeker. Click here for the next episode, and don’t forget to subscribe. Thanks for watching!
Ocean – A vast body of saltwater that covers a large part of the Earth’s surface and is home to a diverse range of organisms. – The ocean is crucial for regulating the Earth’s climate and provides habitat for countless marine species.
Sharks – A group of cartilaginous fish known for their sharp teeth and role as apex predators in marine ecosystems. – Sharks play a vital role in maintaining the health of the ocean by keeping fish populations in balance.
Species – A group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. – Scientists discovered a new species of fish living in the deep ocean trenches.
Behavior – The actions or reactions of an organism in response to external or internal stimuli. – The migratory behavior of whales is influenced by changes in ocean temperature and food availability.
Encounter – An unexpected or casual meeting with an organism or environmental feature. – During the dive, the researchers had a rare encounter with a giant squid.
Deterrents – Methods or substances used to prevent or discourage certain behaviors or actions, often to protect ecosystems. – Scientists are developing shark deterrents to reduce the risk of shark attacks on swimmers.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry and environmental studies. – Advances in technology have allowed marine biologists to explore the deepest parts of the ocean.
Perceptions – The way organisms interpret and understand their environment through sensory information. – The perceptions of dolphins are highly developed, allowing them to navigate and hunt using echolocation.
Marine – Relating to the sea or ocean, especially in terms of the organisms and ecosystems found there. – Marine biologists study the complex interactions between different species in coral reefs.
Habitat – The natural environment in which an organism lives and to which it is adapted. – The destruction of coastal habitats threatens the survival of many marine species.
