Shark Attacks Rise as Finfluencers Chase Selfies, With 65 Unprovoked Bites Logged Last Year
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 17
Shark Attacks Rise as Finfluencers Chase Selfies, With 65 Unprovoked Bites Logged Last Year
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 17
Summary
The Florida Museum’s shark attack database told the BBC it has seen more people attacked over the past three years while trying to film themselves swimming or diving with sharks.
A 2020 study found photographers and influencers on wildlife tours were the group most likely to ignore safety instructions, with videos showing some touching or even riding sharks for content.
Research published last year in French Polynesia said about 5% of recorded shark bites appeared to be self-defence triggered by close human contact, shifting responsibility toward people provoking the encounters.
Scientists say that contact also harms sharks: human interaction can trigger stress hormones, weaken immune systems and potentially raise the risk of death, even though unprovoked attacks remain rare at 65 globally last year.