In a groundbreaking study released today, researchers are challenging the longstanding assumption that sharks are primarily aggressive predators responsible for rare human bites. The study posits that some shark bites should be interpreted as a form of self-defense, shedding new light on the complex interactions between humans and these marine creatures.

The research was led by a team of marine biologists from France and published in the esteemed journal, Frontiers in Conservation Science. After an extensive analysis of global shark bite data, the scientists concluded that approximately 5% of shark-on-human bites are purely defensive in nature. According to the researchers, these findings could play a crucial role in informing future shark bite prevention strategies.

The results of this study show that sharks have as much right as any animal or human to defend themselves when their survival is at stake, stated Eric Clua, the lead researcher and a shark specialist at PSL University. Clua's interest in this topic was sparked by his fieldwork in French Polynesia, where he observed troubling patterns of shark interactions with humans.

During his research, Clua frequently encountered fishermen who would methodically kill sharks trapped in fish pens, sometimes resulting in the sharks biting back when they sensed danger. Additionally, Clua noted instances of accidental bites on underwater spearfishermen, suggesting that the sharks were merely attempting to protect their prey from human interference.

On closer examination, the opportunity arose to model this self-defense mechanism described in the study, which insists on human and not shark responsibility in this type of accident, Clua elaborated in an email to Gizmodo.

The study initially focused on the shark bite incidents documented in French Polynesia, specifically targeting cases where the motivation behind the bites was at least partially known. From 2009 to 2023, a total of 74 documented shark bites were analyzed, and the researchers found that four of these incidents, or 5%, could be attributed to self-defense.

To broaden their analysis, Clua and his team delved into the Global Shark Attack Files, a comprehensive database that has recorded nearly 7,000 shark bites since 1863. They scrutinized bites that were classified as provokedthose resulting from human actions that placed individuals in close proximity to sharks. Mirroring their earlier findings, they determined that about 5% of the 322 bites they examined met their self-defense criteria.

The criteria for classifying bites as defensive involve instances where sharks bite immediately after a human action perceived as aggressive, as well as cases where the bites are repeated but result in only superficial, non-lethal wounds. Interestingly, defensive bites may appear disproportionately violent compared to the human actions that triggered them. For example, a shark might aggressively bite a person attempting to return it to the water out of sheer desperation for survival, as Clua explains.

The results of this study show that sharks have as much right as any animal or human to defend themselves when their survival is at stake, Clua reiterated. They also indicate that, counter-intuitively, it may not be wise to attempt to assist a distressed shark, as such actions may not be viewed positively and could provoke an aggressive response.

By elucidating the various motivations behind shark bites, the research team aims to prevent future incidents from occurring. They recommend that individuals refrain from interacting with or approaching sharks, even in scenarios where the sharks seem harmless or vulnerable. Furthermore, Clua advises that swimmers should always travel in groups of at least two when entering waters inhabited by sharks to reduce the likelihood of a sustained predatory attack. Unlike some terrestrial predators, merely remaining still will not deter an aggressive shark, so it is vital to be prepared to defend oneself in worst-case scenarios.

Despite the findings, the researchers emphasize that sharks are generally fearful of humans. As a result, shark bites are relatively rare, and fatal encounters even more so. For instance, there were only 88 recorded shark bites worldwide in 2024, with seven resulting in fatalities. This is starkly contrasted by estimates that hippos cause approximately 500 human deaths annually, and the numbers become even more alarming when considering the diseases spread by various animalsmosquito-borne malaria alone claims over half a million lives each year. While safety precautions in shark-inhabited waters are crucial, the researchers caution against overstating the dangers posed by these marine animals.

In addition to reducing the number of such bites in the field, we hope that one of the major effects of our study will be to modify the vision and attitude of journalists, Clua stated. We encourage them to take a closer look at the conditions in which bites occur, avoiding the tendency to place the blame solely on the animals, and instead promoting a greater sense of human responsibility.

The research team expresses enthusiasm about continuing their investigations into various types of shark bites, including those that may occur out of exploratory behavior, where sharks bite humans to assess whether they are potential prey.