When will sharks attack a human being?

Some sharks may attack human beings if attracted by under water noises, erratic swimming, the presence of a large number of bathers, or the glint of jewellery or some other article. But probably the greatest provocation to a shark is the presence of blood, for instance from a speared fish or live bait.

Sharks are most likely to attack during the daytime, the areas of greatest danger being those where the sea temperature is between 16º and 21º Centigrade (60º and 70º Fahrenheit). Most attacks seem to occur about 200 to 300 feet from the shore where the water is shallow – or no more than two or three feet in depth.

Among the kinds of sharks known to attack human beings are the tiger and the blue and grey nurse sharks. The most feared and the largest of all the shark family is the great white shark, a powerful and aggressive creature.