The El Niño phenomenon, a powerful climate driver, is set to warm ocean waters and potentially disrupt the delicate balance of marine life, including sharks. This year's El Niño is expected to bring an influx of great white sharks off the Pacific coast, as they seek cooler waters. The Shark Lab's Chris Lowe warns that this year could be similar to 2015, when an El Niño event led to an unexpected surge in shark activity. Lowe predicts another wave of sharks later this summer, potentially forcing them out of Mexico due to rising temperatures.
The last super El Niño, in 2015-16, not only shifted great white shark populations but also introduced new species to California waters. For the first time, hammerhead sharks, usually shy around humans, were involved in two attacks in 2015, one on a spear fisher and another on a kayaker. Lowe explains that hammerheads can become excited by fish blood, a behavior that may have contributed to these incidents.
Beyond California, warmer waters may attract sharks to Florida and the Carolinas, bringing prey closer to shore. However, experts reassure us that this doesn't necessarily mean an increase in shark attacks. Gavin Naylor, director of the International Shark Attack Files, emphasizes that shark bites are incredibly rare, likening the odds to getting struck by lightning or dying in a car crash. Naylor's perspective highlights the importance of maintaining a calm and informed perspective.
Last year, the U.S. saw 25 unprovoked shark bites, with one fatal attack in Northern California. Globally, the number of unprovoked bites increased slightly from the five-year average. Florida leads in shark attacks, accounting for 58% of all historically reported bites, followed by Hawaii and California. The Carolinas also contribute significantly to the total.
The question of why sharks bite humans without provocation remains a mystery. Lowe explains that sharks are becoming more accustomed to human presence and realize we are not food. Studies confirm that sharks are not attracted to human blood and can distinguish between human and fish blood. However, predicting shark bite trends is challenging due to the rarity of attacks and the limited historical data.
Naylor acknowledges the complexity of predicting shark behavior, noting that various factors, including water temperatures, tides, toxins, and human activities, influence shark movements. He warns that activities like foiling and windsurfing can put people in unexpected areas, where sharks may mistake them for seals. The 'Big Three' shark species known for unprovoked bites are great whites, tiger sharks, and bull sharks, with blacktip sharks in Florida causing less fatal bites.
Despite the potential changes in shark behavior, experts advise that El Niño is no reason to cancel beach trips. However, they offer practical advice to minimize the risk of shark attacks. Beachgoers are encouraged to visit beaches with lifeguards, stay in groups, and avoid murky waters and large schools of fish. Fishers should be vigilant about hammerhead activity, and kayak fishers should keep their arms and legs inside the boat. Spearfishers should keep catches on a stringer away from the boat.
Ultimately, while El Niño may bring changes to shark behavior, the overall risk of shark attacks remains low. Rip currents and drowning are the more significant dangers for beachgoers, with approximately 4,000 Americans dying from drowning each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
