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 to humans 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 behaviour. 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 polarising 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:	9781486307371
Publisher:	CSIRO PUBLISHING
Publication date:	11/01/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	280
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Blake Chapman is an Adjunct Research Fellow at The University of Queensland, School of Biological Sciences. She grew up with a love for and fascination with the ocean, but her interest in sharks was piqued when an episode of Shark Week caught her attention. Blake completed postgraduate research on shark neuroscience, development and ecology and has worked in aquatic animal health and husbandry. She now focuses on science communication and her continuing goal is to help educate the public on sharks and shark attacks to better protect both sharks and the humans that choose to share their incredible environment.

Table of Contents

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