Shark Week 2020 | 'Great White Double Trouble' Preview: Are great white numbers rising in Australia's waters?
Sharks are undoubtedly some of the most feared predators of the ocean, and among them, the great white shark is certainly believed to be the deadliest — though scientists believe bull sharks may be more deadly seeing as they can swim in both freshwater and saltwater because they can regulate how much salt their body processes.
The great white shark was specially made famous after Steven Spielberg's 'Jaws' released in 1975 prompting many people to hunt great white sharks for fun. However, the great white shark is also quite misunderstood. While there are attacks on humans reported, it is suggested that sharks who attack humans actually think they are attacking other marine animals, like sea lions. A human body does not have the fat content needed to power a shark and therefore, is a pretty useless meal.
In fact, Discovery's Shark Week is part of their animal activism to raise awareness of the different species of shark and to help promote their conservation. The latest special, 'Great White Double Trouble', focuses on the rising populations of great white sharks in Australia. In fact, a study found that there were more great white sharks on the coast of Western Australia than on the coast of Eastern Australia.
In the last 17 years, there have been 15 fatal shark attacks off the coast of Western Australia. It has been estimated that the warmer sea temperatures in coastal waters closer to the poles could be attracting new species — including hammerhead and great white sharks — from the Mediterranean and African waters. The study used a new technique to take genetic samples from juvenile white sharks off Port Stephens in New South Wales to determine the number of breeding animals in the east coast population, which is distinct from those in Western Australia and South Australia.
Based on those results, the scientists were able to estimate the "south-western" population of white sharks for the first time. Australia has different measures put in place to protect against the large number of shark attacks. Queensland, which has had a shark-control program using drum lines and nets since 1962, has had just one shark-related fatality at a protected beach at that time.
New South Wales has had mesh nets at more than 50 beaches with no fatalities at a protected beach since 1951. More recently, New South Wales has also started using so-called smart drum lines as a non-lethal means to protect the public. 'Great White Double Trouble' aired on Discovery Channel at 8 pm ET on August 12, Wednesday.
