Library:Shark Bites and Shark Conservation: An Analysis of Human Attitudes Following Shark Bite Incidents in Two Locations in Australia (report)

Shark Bites and Shark Conservation: An Analysis of Human Attitudes Following Shark Bite Incidents in Two Locations in Australia is a paper by Dr. Christopher Pepin-Neff, a lecturer in public policy at the University of Sydney published by Academia.edu in 2017.

Key takeaways

• Public attitudes toward sharks are complex and nuanced: The article shows that most respondents in both locations prefer nonlethal policies, believe shark bites are accidental, and have pride in their local shark populations.
• Fear of sharks is influenced by perceptions of intentionality: The article demonstrates that fear of sharks correlates with support for lethal policies, but this association is mediated by whether people think sharks bite humans on purpose or not.
• Media and film narratives can shape public opinion and policy responses: The article discusses how the Jaws effect, or the use of film-based historical analogies, can frame shark bites as intentional, fatal and requiring lethal responses, and how this can be challenged by new evidence and perspectives.
• New descriptive labels can improve public understanding and conservation: The article proposes to replace the term “shark attack” with more accurate and less sensational categories, such as sightings, encounters, bites and fatal bites, to reduce fear and promote more informed and evidence-based policy preferences.

• Education and communication are key to promoting shark conservation: The article highlights the importance of public education on shark behavior, ecology and conservation, as well as the role of media in shaping public opinion and policy preferences, and the need for more balanced reporting and the inclusion of expert voices.
• Shark bites can have economic impacts on local tourism industries: The article analyzes the economic effects of shark bites on local tourism industries, and how this can be mitigated through effective communication and management strategies.
• Shark conservation faces challenges and opportunities: The article concludes with a discussion of the challenges and opportunities for shark conservation in the face of changing public attitudes, policy landscapes and environmental conditions.

External links

• Full paper Article is free to access but requires registration.