Shark Report

No other living marine animal gets more press than the shark...and its reputation is so maligned, I have to continually try to set the record straight on this beautiful marine sea creature....

It seems time to give another shark report. In so many marine-life conversations with Mainlanders (and even some 'locals'), at parties, during business meetings, at the bank, in line at the post office, through E-Mail inquiries, or where-evah, sharks become the topic of discussion. Fear of sharks in ingrained and so pronounced it is almost ridiculous. No relation to facts seems to allay that fear. But, for the curious, let me tell you a few things that may be of interest.

You are more likely to die of a bee sting than be devoured by a shark. Lightning striking you on top of the head is a stronger possibility than you being attacked by a shark, even if you are an avid diver or snorkeler.

Many types of sharks are seen in Kona waters. The most often seen is the docile white-tipped shark (lalakea, in Hawaiian) which can measure to 10 feet in length (but is seldom seen that large, usually more like 3 to 6 feet). Hammerheads (mano kihikihi), the great blue shark (mano), tiger sharks (also called mano, or niuhi in Hawaiian), and the sandbar or brown shark are also seen in shallow waters off Kona. Oceanic White-tips, Mako, and, of course, the Great White Shark are occasionally seen in deeper waters.

Sharks are usually a territorial species. That simply means, where ever they are, they consider that their territory. If their territory is breached they can become aggressive. They will warn you of their aggression by hunching their back and lowering their pectoral fins (hunching up much like a dog or cat). If you observe this action, simply retreat from the area.

Seldom will the offended shark follow up the threatening motion with an actual attack. If you persist in your trespass into their territory the shark, at times, will charge. Again, this charge is more to frighten or warn the trespasser than to follow through with a bite.

More often than not, on a charge, they will draw quite close, then stop, then veer off, right or left, hoping you get the message. You've seen dogs do the same thing, I'm sure.

The white-tipped sharks we see so often here are non-aggressive to the max. Many divers feed these friendly beasts regularly (which is NOT the environmentally-wise thing to do).

We have a favorite lobster hole where we have to roust sharks out occasionally before we can go in for our 'catch'.

Once, Gene Dursin and I were looking for lobster and found a white-tip sleeping in our way. I went over and tweaked its tail to wake him. The shark simply flicked his tail as if swishing away a fly. I tried again. Again the shark just flipped his tail to remove his tormentor. Gene then came over, grabbed the shark at the narrow section between the tail and the body and gave a jerk. The shark awoke and came out of that cave bent double, wondering who the heck had the audacity to do that! When the white-tip cleared the puka, Gene let go, and the shark looked us over for a minute, then slithered away in quest of a less crowded sleeping location.

As we learn more about sharks we are finding they are more of a benefit to man than a threat. It had been suspected since the early 1970s that sharks were immune to cancer. However, later research has found that may have been in error... thus you can't believe everything you read today. Scientists around the world are researching the possibilities of developing an anti-cancer drug from tests on the species, but the belief today is, those early anti-cancer drugs and over the counter remedies haven't worked, so don't buy 'em. Sharks, also, are very long-lived creatures (when left alone and not over-harvested) and their place in the marine eco-system must be protected. Sharks are not to be feared, but respected.