They learned in North America that National Parks need Wolves. Too much Reindeer and not enough Wolves ruins a National Park in many ways.
Sharks 'Globally' have been decimated (eg: Shark Finning, etc). But there are areas where Shark populations have recouperated - like Australia. Sharks are needed to keep the Aquatic environment in good health.
Great Whites have been filmed congregating off rocky 'points' either side of a beach where heaps of Surfers congregate also. The Sharks get a 'oxygen high' from all the white-wash off the points and don't bother the Surfers (South Africa)... mostly.
Great Whites are also hitting Surfers in 'twos' now and upon two occassions this has been filmed.
As I said, Orca are now adapting to the new global conditions of less 'usual' prey and are now decimating GW's around South Africa (which also has a river filled with big Bull Sharks, who never touch swimmers along the river, because there is a 'symbiotic relationship' with the Fisherman that they get their 'cut'.) - in the last 10 years.
Orca are also moving into the Great Australian Bight and increasing their toll on the 'former' Apex GW's there.
Also, they think that the GW's in South Africa are also cannibalising each other out of hunger. The adult females hitting the adolescents who enter their territory.
Bronzies in Jervis Bay recognise 'Spearos' and often hound the spearos off their fish (as do Wobbys). But swimmers, divers and snorklers are sussed out, not harrassed. The smell of dead fish is the obvious decision maker for the Sharks.
Surfing or diving in poor viz conditions is not a wise choice.
Animals (as seen in Singapore) are adapting to Human existence.
So yes, Shark Numbers are increasing in our waters, but not Globally.
Yes - more people are entering the water (especially whities, because this land is Aboriginal land
) - so naturally the stats will rise.
I dive often solo. Never really been bothered by Sharks to any great extent. They come in, take a look and move on.
I have a big pair of eyes on the back on my scuba tank.
I know of one diver who always took an umbrella with him with big eyes velcroed on it. When sharks got too close, he would open it up and off they would go quickly. Surprise is the shark's method (unless Reef shark, then its 'numbers').
There are many offers of deterrents against sharks. Killing (spear, powerhead) is the primitive method. But things like Shark Shields, Cages - seem a more 'passive' method.
I am working on another method (but more about that later) - but without chumming to bring the sharks in (which defeats the purpose), I haven't had a direct opportunity yet to test it. It is a 'passive' method.
There is the Krait Wetsuits and Boards which are out and are said to work.
Just killing Sharks or staying out of the water are dead end options. Humanity has the need to live underwater, but we need to do it the proper way. WE NEED TO EVOLVE.
Education is the key. Like a female naturalist photographer in Africa who discovered (and it has been filmed) that a charging Lion (male in the clip) will stop metres from her (and her scared shaking Bantu ranger with a gun) if she holds her gaze defiantly with the lion and doesn't move an inch. The Lion moved away. Do that to a male Silverback Gorilla and he'll rip your head from your shoulders. The same is with Sharks. Know your species and their habits.
The 'educated' thing to do when canoeing/kayaking Croc infested Rivers is not to be the last in the pack because a Croc can leap up and take you out of your kayak from behind.
Swimming at dawn/dusk is a no go (poor light conditions) and especially falling behind in the swimmers pack (like what happened at Tathra) is also not wise. Sharks are there to clean up the sick, old and injured.
There is so much to learn from Sharks. God knows I've bitten a few over-achievers in my time, from 'down under'
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