Shark Attacks: Myths, Misunderstandings and Human Fear

by Blake Chapman

Overview

Humans spend more time in or on the water than ever before. We love the beach, but for many people, getting in the water provokes a moment’s hesitation. Shark attacks are big news events, and although the risk of shark attack on humans is incredibly low, the fact remains that human lives are lost to sharks every year.

Shark Attacks explores the tension between risk and human fear and the need to conserve sharks and protect the important ecological roles they play in our marine environments. Marine biologist Blake Chapman presents scientific information about shark biology, movement patterns, and feeding behavior. She discusses the role of fear in the way we think about sharks and the influence of the media on public perceptions. Moving first-hand accounts describe the deep and polarizing psychological impacts of shark attacks from a range of perspectives.

This book is an education in thinking through these emotive events and will help readers to navigate the controversial issues around mitigating shark attacks while conserving the sharks themselves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781486307357
Publisher:	CSIRO Publishing
Publication date:	10/30/2017
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Blake Chapman has a PhD in marine science, with a focus on shark development and neuroscience. She has worked hands-on with a wide range of aquatic animals and has a passion for promoting conservation through education. Most of all, she loves all things wonderful, wacky and wild! Blake's first book, Shark Attacks: Myths, Misunderstandings and Human Fear, was published in 2017 by CSIRO Publishing. She is also the Sharks Editor-at-Large for Australian Geographic.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Prologue
Introduction
1: Introduction to sharks
2: Shark biology and basics
3: Shark attacks, deconstructed
4: The role of the media in shark attacks: the good, the bad and the ugly
5: The fear of the improbable: human psychology and shark attack
6: How to lessen the risk of shark attack: personal mitigation strategies
7: Shark bite first aid and trauma medicine
8: Human-wildlife conflict and regional management
9: Regional shark attack mitigation measures: what are they based on and do they work?
10: Legislation relating to shark attack mitigation
11: Looking towards the future
Index

Editorial Reviews

In Shark Attacks: Myths, Misunderstandings and Human Fear, author and shark researcher Blake Chapman deftly explores the tension between risk and human fear and the need to conserve sharks and protect the important ecological roles they play in our marine environments. A marine biologist, Chapman presents scientific information about shark biology, movement patterns, and feeding behavior. She discusses the role of fear in the way we think about sharks and the influence of the media on public perceptions. Moving first-hand accounts describe the deep and polarizing psychological impacts of shark attacks from a range of perspectives. Shark Attacks is an education in thinking through these emotive events and will help readers to navigate the controversial issues around mitigating shark attacks while conserving the sharks themselves. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, Shark Attacks is an impressively informative and highly recommended addition to both community and academic library collections, and will prove to be of special interest to students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject of sharks.

Midwest Book Review