What do you think when you hear the word ‘shark’? Does the word send shivers down your spine? Is there an impending sense of doom when you’re swimming in the ocean and someone screams out in a frightening act of warning? If that’s the case, then let me be the devil’s advocate and mitigate your fears to tell you the true story. I hate to break it to you, but the brutal truth is… sharks aren’t evil.
Let’s dive in and tackle the true misconceptions about these ‘demons’ of the deep.
Sharks are one of the oldest living creatures to roam the earth, dating back to over 400 million years ago. We could even call them the oceans’ very own Avengers, as they survived mass extinctions and evolved into highly specialised predators. As apex predators, they regulate fish populations, prevent overgrazing of marine habitats and contribute to the overall health of the ocean ecosystem. How? Well, without sharks, prey populations can grow unchecked, leading to imbalances that can devastate coral reefs, seagrass beds and even commercial fisheries.
Despite their ecological importance, many shark species are facing catastrophic population declines. Over 100,000,000 sharks are killed each year due to overfishing, habitat destruction and the shark fin trade.
You might be thinking to yourself, “Well this sounds interesting, but why would I care about conserving an animal which is a massive threat to humanity?” From personal experience diving with wild sharks in the bosom of tropical waters in a secluded island called Fuvamullah in the Maldives, I would tell you that they are not a demon out to hurt you, but simply another animal. At first, I was petrified: diving with wild sharks and having faith in nature seemed absurd to me. But the minute I plunged myself into the water and looked around me, I felt ethereal; I was no longer scared but in awe. Time moves slowly when you stare into their eyes. I knew they weren’t going to hurt me; I looked at them as if they were underwater puppies.
At that moment, I knew that I would do my best to conserve these majestic creatures in any way I could. They do not attack unless provoked. While I’m not saying it’s entirely safe to be around them, if you do not get in their way, they do not get into yours. I vividly remember my instructor telling me that they look at you as either a threat or prey. If you’re at peace underwater, they do not bat (or rather, roll) their eyes and after spending time with them, I believed it. In fact, the fear of sharks is starkly disproportionate to the actual risk they pose. Statistically, a person is more likely to be struck by lightning, attacked by a cow, or even injured by a vending machine, than killed by a shark.
Frankly, the real villain here is not the sharks themselves, but the media giants who portray them as bloodthirsty killers. The media shapes public attitudes towards sharks; news outlets often sensationalise shark encounters, using words like “shark infested waters” (don’t they live there?) or “man-eating predator” to stoke fear. Even when an attack is accidental — often a case of mistaken identity, where a shark confuses a swimmer or surfer for prey — this narrative reinforces the idea of sharks as deliberate killers.
Movies like Jaws (1975), 47 Meters Down (2017) and the recent film, Under Paris (2024) have also contributed to this deep-seated fear. Jaws, the movie that started the charade of sharks being ruthless killers, depicts a monstrous great white terrorising a beach town, and causing the public perception of sharks as killers to skyrocket. The film’s impact has been so profound that it has led to increased shark hunting and a significant decline in populations of several species. Even today, pop culture continues to exploit the fear of sharks through horror films and clickbait articles that prioritise sensationalism over science.
So, we come back to the more profound question: does this fear actually harm sharks?
The fear-driven response to sharks has led to harmful policies, including shark culling programs in countries like Australia and South Africa. These programs, which involve killing sharks to “protect” beachgoers, not only fail to reduce attacks but also disrupt marine ecosystems. For instance, Queensland and NSW have implemented shark-control programs using nets and drum lines, leading to the deaths of thousands of sharks and other marine animals. Similarly, South Africa’s KwaZulu- Natal province employs a similar approach, resulting in significant bycatch of non-target species.
Sharks face serious threats, and conservation efforts like marine-protected areas, sustainable fishing, and finning bans are crucial for their survival for future generations. Changing public perception is just as important. When people understand the ecological role of sharks and the reality of their behaviour, fear can be replaced with respect.
It’s time to put thought into action and it is time to shift the narrative. Sharks are not villains — they are keystone species that keep our oceans healthy. The real monsters are habitat destruction, climate change and overfishing. These all have one common denominator: humanity. If we continue to let fear dictate our approach to sharks, we risk losing not only these incredible creatures, but also the balance of our entire marine ecosystem.
We have the power to change, so let’s embrace science over sensationalism. Education and responsible media representation are important to change frivolous conversation into conservation. Instead of fearing sharks, we should be fighting for their survival — because a world without these keystone creatures is far more terrifying than any Hollywood movie.
It’s time to turn the tide on fear; without sharks, the real nightmare begins.
