Attack Survivors Stand Up for Saving Shark Species
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July 15, 2009
MIAMI - The shark literally bit the hand that fed it - or at least the leg - but now its victim, Miami Beach dive boat owner Michael Beach, is working to conserve and protect sharks like the one that bit him. He is among nine shark "encounter" survivors who are sharing their stories in Washington as the U.S. Senate considers the Shark Conservation Act of 2009, already passed by the U.S. House. Beach was hand-feeding sharks for tourists on a dive in the Bahamas when one took a bite out of his leg. After losing one-third of his blood, undergoing two surgeries, and getting 400 stitches, Beach says shark "encounters" are rare, and he blames himself for his.
"On what possible ground could I blame the shark? I realized I was the intruder. It's probably safer to feed grizzly bears in a parking lot than it is really to feed sharks by hand."
Matt Rand, director of global shark conservation for the Pew Environment Group, says sharks bit 32 Floridians last year, but worldwide the average is between 50 and 70 attacks each year. He says they are mostly cases of mistaken identity, and over all it's the sharks that are in danger.
"Sharks are the ones that should be much more scared of people, than people should be of them. Most of the attacks, they were accidents. Scientists believe the sharks aren't looking for people as food, but the sharks think they're a prey they're used to feeding off of, and it's a mistake."
Rand also condemns the shark fin trade, conducted primarily to obtain the makings for the Asian delicacy shark fin soup.
"Shark finning is an egregious act where fishermen are removing the fins of sharks and throwing the bodies overboard. This is something that needs to be banned globally."
Rand says a new report considers 38 percent of the shark species around the world threatened or near extinction.
For more information, visit www.pewsharks.org