Marine biologist encourages vigilance in the ocean after uptick in shark encounters

A recent shark attacks in Hawaii and North Carolina highlight the fact that unprovoked shark attacks are rising worldwide. It would seem today we have a marine biologist to tell us more. Doctor Austin Gallagher, the founder of beneath the Waves and Doctor Gallagher, I follow your work. You've done great work and you know, we have seen roughly some 10 or 11 attacks, one fatal and that one being in Hawaii of the renowned Waterman and professional surfer Tamayo Perry in in Hawaii. But what do you make of as we enter this summer and as people go into the water and Full disclosure, our viewers know I like sharks and support being in the water with them. I'll be in the water with them this week. But but, you know, from the expert opinion, what do people need to think about how, how should they interpret the news of these recent attacks? Sure, sure. Well, it's a great question. We are living in a rapidly changing ocean landscape. And we've really done a lot of good conservation efforts to restore these populations of sharks, which were previously, you know, decimated. So we have to learn how to kind of better coexist with them. But the reason why we are seeing this kind of increase in, you know, activity and some attacks is likely due to the fact that the oceans are in some places recovering, which is actually a good sign. It's great news. And you know, when I am out at the beach in South Carolina this week, I often tell people, my children and others, you know, when you see bait fish, schools of bait fish coming closer to the shore, these are some of the things that you really need. Now with with the pop fish populations, sharks, whatever kind of fish you need to really kind of be smart about it maybe and kind of think about the ocean has more animals in there. And the bait fish, of course, are on the food chain for the sharks. Yeah, absolutely. You know, there's just a lot of changes happening right in front of our face. But we really do need to be, you know, educated users. Anytime we go in the water, you know, look out for those signs, you know, going in the water and dawn and dusk, typically, that's when sharks do hunt. That's when their hunting behavior sort of increases. So it's just really paying attention to this environment. If we want to enjoy it, we should really respect it and and pay attention to those clues, like you said. And and just lastly, you know, I have had the opportunity fortunate to go in the water. Maybe I'll go with you sometime. And and when you're in the water in the environment, it's actually a much more less threatening environment than when you're perhaps surfing or or boating in, in, in many of these unprovoked and attacks are accidental, if you will. What are some things to consider if you had to pick like your top three tips of, you know, being aware? Sure. You know, I would say it's, it's really just watching the kind of behavior of these animals. You know, anytime you're in the water with any type of animal, they're going to tell you if you can get close to it. If you can't get close to it, they're kind of just like dogs. You know, when you walk by a dog, you can tell should I pet it or not? So with sharks, you got to just really be, you know, paying attention, looking for the signs of their posture changing. That's usually an indication they might be aggressive. And, you know, don't swim next to chum or bait. That's kind of like the biggest one for sure. Now, while we don't want to be on the food chain of sharks, sharks have become on the food chain of something else. In a paper you've just published recently is quite interesting. Orcas now are choosing to go after sharks. What can you tell us? It's totally fascinating research that my colleagues and I recently published from Mexico and orcas, also known as killer whales. They are the apex proton the ocean and there's reports of them taking down sharks off South Africa. But then some of this research that we showed from Mexico and these orcas are now learning how to hunt bull sharks, black tip sharks. And it's like there's a new sheriff in town and these orcas are really showing that. And what, what is that? You know, what are we to make of that? And, and I, I think you've probably seen, as our viewers have probably seen some of these cases, you even see these orcas operating in pods to, to go after ships. There was a story recently on that. And then now, you know, all the sudden these orca pods are using, I guess you would say, intelligence that they have to go after the second, you know, perhaps top predator in the ocean being great whites. Absolutely. Yeah. These animals, orcas are highly specialized, highly commutative, coordinated, social. They can transmit information, you know, across their family lines. And they work in pods, like you said. So in order to take down the apex proto in the ocean, you know, you have to be coordinated like that. So it's just fascinating. The orcas really are changing their behavior where they're being seen. So they're a real signal to other things that might be happening in the ocean. Well, as a giant fan of the ocean, I think it's a fascinating discovery. We wanted to bring you on here. Just in a few seconds, I've got left. How can people follow you, Doctor Gallagher? And and beneath the waves and, and where this research goes absolutely. Well, you can find us on Instagram at BT waves or my Instagram is at Doctor Austin Gallagher. If you just type in, you know, Austin Gallagher shark beneath the waves, you know, find a way to sign up, get on the newsletter and you can follow along on the adventures. All right, Doctor Gallagher, thank you for the insight as always. And I look forward to connecting with you. And we'll have to go underneath the waves, but maybe not looking for an.