Durham, N.H. – For many New Hampshire residents, the recent shark attacks in Cape Cod have hit a little too close to home, fearing that similar attacks could occur off of a New Hampshire beach.
With the tragic deaths of two Amity beach goers fresh in the minds of those on the New England coast, local shark experts reassure residents that the likelihood of being attacked by a shark is still very slim.
According to WMUR, “bees, wasps and snakes are responsible for more fatalities than sharks every year” and “the odds of getting killed by a shark are extremely minimal.”
Also, for those who live in the U.S., the chance of being struck and killed by lightning is 30 times greater than being killed by a shark, making sharks less of threat than many realize.
In a report published on their website, the shark experts at the Florida Museum of Natural History offer some insight as to why humans have developed an intense fear of sharks. They attribute part of the fear to the media and its portrayal of sharks.
“In today's world we constantly are subjected to the media's stereotypic
characterizations of sharks, which are rife with misinformation and actively promote fear and loathing.”
The discussion continued with perhaps a rooted instinct or human characteristic that has developed over the years as a cause for the fear.
“We as humans are used to controlling the world around us…sharks, like typhoons, lightning and tornados, are something we cannot control, hence our great interest in them.”
For those who are still worried that a shark may appear near Hampton Beach, the Florida Museum of Natural History offers some helpful tips for avoiding attacks on their website such as staying in a group, avoiding ocean swims at twilight or dark hours and refraining from wearing shiny jewelry while swimming.
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