Imagine yourself relaxing on a French beach, enjoying your summer read, unaware that just a few meters away, dozens of shark species are discreetly swimming. Don’t panic! These fascinating predators are indeed present along our coasts, but do they really pose a danger? Let’s dive into French waters together to discover these little-known neighbors.IN BRIEF
- Sharks are less dangerous than mosquitoes, which are responsible for 800,000 deaths annually, contrary to their reputation as formidable predators.
- French waters are home to around a hundred species of sharks, including the harmless basking shark, and some great white and mako sharks.
- Reunion Island experienced 27 shark attacks between 2011 and 2021, mainly by bull sharks, requiring vigilance and respect.
Sharks are much less dangerous than you might think.
Sharks are among those animals that frighten us, often unjustifiably. The reality, however, is undeniable: this marine predator is far less deadly to humans than the mosquito, responsible for approximately 800,000 deaths per year. To give you an idea, this insect kills more humans in just 24 hours than a shark does in an entire century! This certainly puts into perspective the man-eating reputation that is so readily attached to these cartilaginous fish.
This comparison may seem surprising, but it mainly reveals how biased our perception is. The shark embodies our ancestral fears, while we largely underestimate the danger posed by other, much smaller and more discreet animals.
Impressive biodiversity in French waters
There’s no need to travel to the other side of the world to see sharks: various species inhabit the French coast. The numbers are impressive, too. Around fifty species of sharks can be found in the Mediterranean, and no fewer than a hundred in the Atlantic!
Most sharks found along the French coast rarely exceed 2 meters in length. These modestly sized specimens often go unnoticed. However, there are some large ones that deserve closer attention.
Among them, the basking shark impresses with its size: this giant can reach 8 meters in length, and yet it is completely harmless. A small population of great white sharks and mako sharks is also present in our metropolitan waters. However, these species are rarely seen along the coasts of mainland France, unlike in other French territories.
Overseas territories: a more contrasting situation
While mainland France remains relatively unaffected, this is less the case in the overseas territories. There, one finds an even greater diversity, including the lemon shark, the reef shark, the hammerhead shark, and the mako shark. But above all, one encounters the three sharks considered the most dangerous: the great white shark, the tiger shark, and the formidable bull shark.
The Caribbean islands have been relatively spared from attacks, but Réunion Island has regularly made headlines. Between 2011 and 2021, no fewer than 27 shark attacks occurred on the island, 11 of them fatal. This record raises questions and concerns.
The bull shark, a particularly formidable predator
The vast majority of incidents in Réunion are attributed to bull sharks, with a few rare attacks by tiger sharks. What makes the bull shark particularly dangerous is primarily its natural aggressiveness .
But this shark has another worrying characteristic: it can thrive in both saltwater and freshwater, which considerably expands its hunting territory. Unlike the great white shark, which is rarely found in the immediate vicinity of beaches, the bull shark prefers very shallow waters.Learn more
source : modes et travaux
