Scientists and animal experts have discovered that sharks are a lot more aware of their surroundings than we realise. It's a common misconception that they have small brains and are nothing more than eating machines, according to studies by researchers from the University of Western Australia.
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Shark neighbourhoods
Research has concluded that sharks are complex - as relatively large-brained creatures, they display a range of behaviours. Studies were carried out by comparing sharks' brains to those of humans and other mammals, suggesting that throughout the evolution process, there were some similarities that had developed. Sharks' brains vary between different species, so there's no "one size fits all", as had previously been thought.
Living in different habitats, they use different senses to understand their surroundings and eat different diets. Michelle Heupel, a senior research scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, says sharks know their own neighbourhood and have a level of "intellectual capacity".
Recognising danger
Using tracking devices, the institute has studied sharks living in a certain area and monitored their whereabouts. When a disturbance, such as a tropical storm or cyclone, has approached, they have vacated the area en masse. After the danger has passed, all of the sharks have returned to their own home area.
The research identified this behaviour even in baby sharks. They know exactly where they live, when something potentially dangerous is happening and to escape to safety, and how to get back home once the danger has subsided.
Marine science studies show that sharks will respond even to very subtle changes in their environment and will behave accordingly.
Inquisitive behaviour
Research also shows that many interactions between sharks and humans take place because the sharks are inquisitive and wish to investigate, so they are not behaving in a predatory manner, as we may think.
According to the International Shark Attack File, there have been only 2,785 unprovoked confirmed shark attacks worldwide between 1958 and 2016. Of these, 439 were fatal. Considering the number of people who participate in water sports in the world's oceans, this is a relatively small number.
Blue Planet Live
Currently, the BBC's Blue Planet documentary series, which explores marine life in the world's oceans, is broadcasting live from various places all over the globe.
One of the live streams has featured sharks in the Bahamas with wildlife presenter, naturalist and adventurer Steve Backshall diving with tiger and hammerhead sharks.
Shark fishing in the Bahamas is illegal and the large number of sharks in the local waters as a result is helping the local economy. Far from being afraid of going in the water, people are flocking to the Bahamas to see sharks in their natural habitat and underwater tourism has taken off in a big way.
Backshall has been presenting his segments of Blue Planet Live underwater, where he is quite literally surrounded by sharks. They are swimming inches away from him while he carries on presenting the show, undeterred. None of them have shown any intentions of attacking him and on the contrary have been swimming around peacefully.
Endangered species
Due to being hunted by humans, some species of shark are now on the endangered list. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Shark Specialist Group has updated its Red List assessment for 58 species of shark. Two of them, the world's fastest shark, the shortfin mako, and also the longfin mako, are now in danger of extinction.
Both species are caught and killed for their meat but don't fall under the constraints of international fishing quotas, so fishing vessels can capture as many as they choose. Conservationists are calling for urgent measures to be introduced to protect sharks, before it's too late.
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