2023-07-06 02:04:06
Referential image. The expert affirmed that the majority of sharks are from deep and open waters. Photo: Pexels
A tourist of Mexican nationality suffered a shark bite on the Mosquera islet. The young woman was snorkeling or shallow diving when the event happened. The alert entered ECU 911 this Tuesday, July 4.
Given this fact, EL COMERCIO contacted Alex Hearn, a marine biology research professor at the San Francisco de Quito University, to answer some concerns about the behavior of sharks in Galapagos.
The expert explained that the sharks They attack twice: the first is when the animal feels threatened and there is no way to run away. The other is when wrong prey Alex points out that the latter is the most likely.
According to the teacher’s explanation, this occurs when there are people in the water, where prey would normally be. sharks at certain times of the year and hours of the day.
“Normally, it’s a bite and it goes no further. Very rarely there bites fatal and not all sharks are able to matarAlex pointed out.
The teacher says that we must take into account that tourism in Galapagos has increased and this raises the risk of more attacks of sharks. Although it is still minimal.
“You have to have due respect. Let us remember that the sharks son animals wildAlex stressed.
The biologist pointed out that the sharks they feel when someone is in the water and has difficulty swimming. “There you can interpret a person as easy prey”. It is better that the tourist does not enter the water if he feels very nervous.
The researcher also believes that the phenomenon of He Niño It may have something to do with it, as sea lions may even be poorly fed, which is why they attract more sharks. And the island on which the bite is known as a wolfery.
Alex points out that in Galapagos there are about 35 species of sharks, although many are of aguas deep y open. It is very difficult for these to be responsible for this week’s accident.
What shark can attack a human?
The bite was recorded in an area that according to the expert is a wolferyand that is why he pointed to the galapagos shark as one of the races that possibly bit the tourist. Although he emphasized that it could also have been another species of those that are usually interact with humans.
“An expert must analyze the bite to determine the breed responsible for the event,” Alex emphasized.
He also noted that they generally do not eat human flesh, for example, the shark galapagos feeds on sea lionsthe tiger of turtles and the hammer of molluscs and at night.
The expert emphasized that, although this fact drew a lot of attention, it is actually atypicaland around 100 have been registered in the world annual bites. And mortal only about four. Most are in Florida, States Joined.
As a recommendation, Alex said that it would be good to evaluate where the tourists to swim and perform various activities. well in Galapagos You can’t put networks because it’s ecosystem natural It should not have much human intervention.
He also says that the behavior of sharks should be monitored, since the phenomenon of sharks is coming. The boy and it can generate some changes in the ecosystem.
Alex pointed out that it would be nice to have a record when and where these attacks took place in Galapagosbecause there is not and with that it is much more difficult to know how to act and have one fast answer.
Among other actions, he also pointed out that some boats they throw food at the sharks to take photos with them touriststhis activity should have more control.
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