I've never understood how someone who has never set foot or toe in the ocean can be so fearful of sharks. Likewise, why is the immediately reaction to any sighting or shark attack mass culling actions that play out over weeks, months, even years afterward?
Where does fear even come from? If one has never witnessed a shark, in an aquarium or otherwise, why are they still overwhelmed with such instant fear? Is fear genetic, an adaptation of human evolution, or just something passed down in the same way a family heirloom is?
It wasn't until earlier today when I was scooping up a spider with a random piece of scrap paper to put outside that I began reflecting more deeply into these questions.
Admittedly, in the past, I would go straight to killing any spider that was found crawling up my wall - it's a common reaction, even a badge of courage to some, but why? Again, why when faced with fear of certain animals is the go-to reaction killing them?
It was time to take these questions to the internet (of course). The first question, what is a fear versus a phobia? What is being fearful of sharks called and how can people overcome it- can they?
'Selachophobia' (or Galeophobia) is the fear of sharks.
Phobia researchers say:
"It is generally accepted that phobias arise from a combination of external events (i.e. traumatic events) and internal predispositions (i.e. heredity or genetics). Many specific phobias can be traced back to a specific triggering event, usually a traumatic experience at an early age."
FEAR: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger
*First Known Use of fear Noun: 12th Century
PHOIBA: an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation
*First Known Use of phobia Noun: 1786
As you can see, humankind has been afraid for a very long time. Not to say we should never fear anything, obviously a healthy concern about things or situations can save your life - after all, that's what fear does, it helps keep you alive. However, maybe there is something to that old saying "fear nothing but fear itself"? Okay, cool let's only fear, fear but how can one simply stop fearing something your heart sinks at the mere sight of? Can one overcome a phobia? Luckily, the answer is YES!
Ever notice that humans often fear what we don't understand? Being afraid of the dark, fear of death, space, the deep dark ocean, even just social situations like talking to your crush. Think back to anything you used to be afraid of - how did that fear become past tense for you? You learned more about it! You were brave and got up the courage to talk to that person you were eyeing or maybe you started researching the subject of your apprehension.
The trick to overcoming your fear about sharks (or anything else for that matter) is to arm yourself with knowledge - it really is power! Knowledge is powerful enough to help you slay your fear or phobia but the catch being you have to be open and willing to be objective with the information you learn and take everything in. By arming yourself with even basic shark knowledge and understanding how to enjoy sharks safely, you can overcome your fear. Who knows, your research may even ignite a new passion for these magnificent creatures.
The same concept was true for me and my spider pal; knowledge is the reason I had a spider inches from me yet avoided the urge to kill it with a nearby shoe. My past fear was replaced with appreciation through what I've learned.
Overcoming this spider fear didn't happen overnight, instead it's the continual result of understanding more about them as organisms and their usual habitats, while being open to accepting the fact that spiders serve a purpose, just as the shark does for the world's oceans.
At this current moment, I am not interested in becoming a spider scientist - but I'm proud to serve as an example that overcoming your fears is possible. Now, I can admire macro photos of their hairy legs and sometimes dozens of eyes while scrolling through my social media pages and be amazed at their survival and hunting skills. I mean, c'mon, a spider's web is five times stronger than steel of the same diameter! Plus, spiders are so successful they can be found on every continent except for Antarctica! Even for former spider-hater, gotta give credit where it's due - well done spiders, well done!
I hope my eight-legged friend is happy on the leaf I left it on and that our short time together has inspired to implement what I learned. In an attempt to pass on the feeling of being fearless, here's a few steps to help you be shark-fear free! Use these in overcoming your own fear or share them with a friend:
1. Learn as much as you can about sharks.
Plug in some shark questions on your favorite search engine or look up some shark hashtags on social media. Visit your local aquarium and chat with a shark aquarist or marine biologist.
Becoming familiar with the facts and habits of sharks will help dispel myths that may be main sources of fear. Knowing that most shark species (and there are hundreds of species) are actually quite small, or even that largest shark (Whale Shark) is a filter feeder that sustains on a diet of the ocean's smallest organisms will help undo the notion that sharks are only man-eating sea monsters.
Learn how sharks impact the ocean, you can check out 5 Reasons We Need Sharks to list a few!
PRO TIP: It may help to get over the fear of sharks if you think of killer whales (orcas), who are widely known as predators of sharks
2. Understand that sharks don't eat humans.
Simply put, humans are not part of any shark's diet. There is no evidence of a man-eating shark despite what movies may suggest. Event he few species that have been indicated in attacks would rather eat turtles, seals, or other fish over people.
It's important to understand that the ocean is not humankind realm, if it was we'd live there. Just as a stranger in your home it's vital that we respect sharks and the ocean. Don't try to antagonize a shark, approach them, or aggravate them. Sharks don't attack you for simply being in the water, but you still want to respect that they can be dangerous and are natural predators. Trying to interact with sharks and ignoring body language (just as ignoring warning signs from other animals or humans) by touching them, trying to kiss them, or riding on their fins could very well result in serious injury.
3. Know your odds of a shark attack.
Most people who fear sharks are specifically terrified of being attacked by a shark. Thankfully for your anxiety, shark attacks are extremely rare! Most shark bites are not intended to be harmful. Instead, the bites are exploratory and used by the shark to figure out what the person is. Think about a shark bite as the same gesture that a human does when it reaches out and explores something with her fingers.
4. Resist media shark sensationalism.
Movies like Jaws have given sharks a negative and sinister stereotype; think of how many times the theme to Jaws is used to scare someone. Unfortunately, it's not just monster movies that have perpetuated this shark stigma. Whenever there is a shark-human interaction, the usual news media outlets go crazy with false headlines and over exaggerate to increase public interest. They'll use the words shark attack, while many times there is no attack, just a simple shark encounter.
5. Understand the danger humans pose to sharks and the ocean.
Humans cause exponentially more damage to sharks each year, since 1970 about 90% of the ocean's shark population have been depleted, leaving many species on the brink of extinction or threatened.
Overfishing/poor commercial fishing practices, the shark finning trade, bycatch and pollution have all played a human-caused role in the death of millions of sharks.
6. Knowing How to Safely Co-Exist with Sharks
Understanding the factors and dangers of being in the water is a must. Knowing to avoid dark or murky areas, avoiding swimming at dawn or dusk, staying away from well-known seal colonies/areas or skipping those well-known shark beaches, never diving or swimming alone, and never swimming when you are injured or bleeding are all good safety practices.
7. Let's dive in!
One of the best ways to overcome your fear of sharks is to swim with them! Many aquariums offer opportunities for you to swim with sharks in a safe, controlled environment so that you can face your fears and start to unravel your fear.
Simply taking a boat trip, wading out into the water, going swimming or learning to surf can be a huge step to overcoming your fear if not ready to take the plunge with shark diving. Any of these activities will help you realize that being in the water isn't going to immediately attract sharks. Besides, don't let your fear get in the way of seeing how magical and awesome the ocean is!
Article written by Sphyrnas Founder
November 2019
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