Editing Shark (section)

==Relationship with humans==
===Attacks===
{{Main|Shark attack}}
[[File:Shark warning - Salt Rock South Africa.jpg|thumb|A sign warning about the presence of sharks in [[Salt Rock]], South Africa|alt=Photo of sign.]]
[[File:Snorkeler with blacktip reef shark.jpg|thumb |right |250px |Snorkeler swims near a [[blacktip reef shark]]. In rare circumstances involving poor visibility, blacktips may bite a human, mistaking it for prey. Under normal conditions they are harmless and shy.|alt=Photo of snorkeler with shark in shallow water.]]

In 2006 the [[International Shark Attack File]] (ISAF) undertook an investigation into 96 alleged shark attacks, confirming 62 of them as unprovoked attacks and 16 as provoked attacks. The average number of fatalities worldwide per year between 2001 and 2006 from unprovoked shark attacks is 4.3.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/statistics/2006attacksummary.htm
| title = Worldwide shark attack summary
| publisher = [[International Shark Attack File]]
| access-date = 2007-08-28
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070818045339/http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/statistics/2006attacksummary.htm
| archive-date = 2007-08-18
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

Contrary to popular belief, only a few sharks are dangerous to humans. Out of more than 470 species, only four have been involved in a significant number of fatal, unprovoked attacks on humans: the [[great white shark|great white]], [[oceanic whitetip shark|oceanic whitetip]], [[tiger shark|tiger]], and [[bull shark]]s.<ref name="isaf">{{cite web
 | url=http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/statistics/species2.htm
 | title=Statistics on Attacking Species of Shark
 | publisher=ISAF
 | access-date=2006-09-12
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090724033127/http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/Statistics/species2.htm
 | archive-date = 2009-07-24
}}</ref><ref name="reefquest">{{cite web
 | url=http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/shark_profiles/carcharhinidae.htm
 | title=Biology of sharks and rays
 | publisher=ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research
 | access-date=2014-01-17
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060206201309/http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/shark_profiles/carcharhinidae.htm
 | archive-date=2006-02-06
 | url-status=live
 }}</ref> These sharks are large, powerful predators, and may sometimes attack and kill people. Despite being responsible for attacks on humans they have all been filmed without using a protective cage.<ref>{{cite web
 | url=http://www.sharkmans-world.com/rv.htm
 | title=The Sharkman meets Ron & Valerie Taylor
 | last=Buttigieg
 | first=Alex
 | publisher=Sharkman's Graphics
 | access-date=2009-08-29
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303211023/http://www.sharkmans-world.com/rv.htm
 | archive-date=2009-03-03
 | url-status=dead
 }}</ref>

The perception of sharks as dangerous animals has been popularized by publicity given to a few isolated unprovoked attacks, such as the [[Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916]], and through popular fictional works about shark attacks, such as the ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'' film series. ''Jaws'' author [[Peter Benchley]], as well as [[Jaws (film)|''Jaws'']] director [[Steven Spielberg]], later attempted to dispel the image of sharks as man-eating monsters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/06/0606_shark5.html|title=Jaws Author Peter Benchley Talks Sharks|last=Handwerk|first=Brian|date=7 June 2002|publisher=National Geographic Society|access-date=2009-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825091739/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/06/0606_shark5.html|archive-date=25 August 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

To help avoid an unprovoked attack, humans should not wear jewelry or metal that is shiny and refrain from splashing around too much.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/13/130704-shark-attack-prevention-response-ocean-beach-animal-science/ |title=How Should We Respond When Humans and Sharks Collide? |publisher=News.nationalgeographic.com |date=2013-07-04 |access-date=2013-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906062150/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/13/130704-shark-attack-prevention-response-ocean-beach-animal-science/ |archive-date=2013-09-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In general, sharks show little pattern of attacking humans specifically, part of the reason could be that sharks prefer the blood of fish and other common preys.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://marinelife.org/sharks-and-survival-three-misconceptions-about-sharks-one-striking-reality/ |title=Sharks and Survival: Three misconceptions about sharks; one striking reality |publisher=Loggerhead Marinelife Center |date=2016-07-01 |access-date=2024-05-09 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240509124508/https://marinelife.org/sharks-and-survival-three-misconceptions-about-sharks-one-striking-reality/ |archive-date=2024-05-09 |url-status=live }}</ref> Research indicates that when humans do become the object of a shark attack, it is possible that the shark has mistaken the human for species that are its normal prey, such as seals.<ref name="bbc 2018">{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Richard |date=5 December 2023 |title=The real reasons why sharks attack humans |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190808-why-do-sharks-attack-humans |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0964569116302058 | doi=10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2016.09.010 | bibcode=2016OCM...133...72C | title=Global shark attack hotspots: Identifying underlying factors behind increased unprovoked shark bite incidence | last1=Chapman | first1=Blake K. | last2=McPhee | first2=Daryl | journal=Ocean and Coastal Management | date=2016 | volume=133 | page=72 }}</ref> This was further proven in a recent study conducted by researchers at the California State University's Shark Lab. According to footage caught by the Lab's drones, juveniles swam right up to humans in the water without any bites incidents. The lab stated that the results showed that humans and sharks can co-exist in the water.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Stefanie |last=Dazio |url=https://apnews.com/article/california-sharks-4ee365cab9e09e6ec76b9b0bfdb2f499 |title=Just keep swimming: SoCal study shows sharks, humans can share ocean peacefully |date=June 7, 2023 |publisher=[[AP News]] |access-date=June 8, 2023}}</ref>

===In captivity===
{{Main|Sharks in captivity}}
[[File:Male whale shark at Georgia Aquarium.jpg|thumb|A [[whale shark]] in [[Georgia Aquarium]]|alt=Photo showing visitors in shadow watching whale shark in front of many other fish.]]

Until recently, only a few [[benthic]] species of shark, such as [[Horn shark|hornsharks]], [[leopard shark]]s and [[Scyliorhinidae|catshark]]s, had survived in aquarium conditions for a year or more. This gave rise to the belief that sharks, as well as being difficult to capture and transport, were difficult to care for. More knowledge has led to more species (including the large [[pelagic]] sharks) living far longer in captivity, along with safer transportation techniques that have enabled long-distance transportation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcss.sc/MCNEWS/mcn_v3_1_art3.htm |title=Whale Sharks in Captivity |access-date=2006-09-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902212049/http://www.mcss.sc/MCNEWS/mcn_v3_1_art3.htm |archive-date=September 2, 2006 }}</ref> The great white shark had never been successfully held in captivity for long periods of time until September 2004, when the [[Monterey Bay Aquarium]] successfully kept a young female for 198 days before releasing her.

Most species are not suitable for home aquaria, and not every species sold by [[pet store]]s are appropriate. Some species can flourish in home saltwater aquaria.<ref name="sharksathomeafm">{{Cite news
| last = Michael
| first = Scott W.
| title = Sharks at Home
| newspaper = Aquarium Fish Magazine
| pages = 20–29
|date=March 2004
}}</ref> Uninformed or unscrupulous dealers sometimes sell juvenile sharks like the [[nurse shark]], which upon reaching adulthood is far too large for typical home aquaria.<ref name="sharksathomeafm" /> Public aquaria generally do not accept donated specimens that have outgrown their housing. Some owners have been tempted to [[Introduced species|release]] them.<ref name="sharksathomeafm" /> Species appropriate to home aquaria represent considerable spatial and financial investments as they generally approach adult lengths of {{convert|3|ft|cm|-1}} and can live up to 25 years.<ref name="sharksathomeafm" />
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==In culture==
In ancient Greece, it was forbidden to eat shark flesh at women's festivals. {{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} This has been in the article since April 2002, version 13! of this page that now have many thousands of versions so I do not want to remove it, but can not find ANY references!! -->

===In culture===
[[File:Hells Angels, Flying Tigers 1942.jpg|thumb|Shark-themed [[nose art]], made popular by the [[Flying Tigers]] (pictured), is commonly seen on military aircraft.]]

====In Hawaii====
Sharks figure prominently in [[Hawaiian mythology]]. Stories tell of men with shark jaws on their back who could change between shark and human form. A common theme was that a shark-man would warn beach-goers of sharks in the waters. The beach-goers would laugh and ignore the warnings and get eaten by the shark-man who warned them. [[Hawaii]]an mythology also includes many shark [[god]]s. Among a fishing people, the most popular of all [[aumakua]], or deified ancestor guardians, are shark aumakua. [[Kamaku]] describes in detail how to offer a corpse to become a shark. The body transforms gradually until the [[kahuna]] can point the awe-struck family to the markings on the shark's body that correspond to the clothing in which the beloved's body had been wrapped. Such a shark aumakua becomes the family pet, receiving food, and driving fish into the family net and warding off danger. Like all aumakua it had evil uses such as helping kill enemies. The ruling chiefs typically forbade such sorcery. Many Native Hawaiian families claim such an aumakua, who is known by name to the whole community.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/pac/hm/hm11.htm
|title=Guardian Gods
|last=Beckwith
|first=Martha
|year=1940
|access-date=August 13, 2009
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527085939/http://sacred-texts.com/pac/hm/hm11.htm
|archive-date=May 27, 2009
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

[[Kamohoalii|Kamohoali'i]] is the best known and revered of the shark gods, he was the older and favored brother of [[Pele (deity)|Pele]],<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.mythicalrealm.com/legends/pele.html
| title = Pele, Goddess of Fire
| access-date = 2006-09-13
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060901045030/http://www.mythicalrealm.com/legends/pele.html
| archive-date = 2006-09-01
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> and helped and journeyed with her to Hawaii. He was able to assume all human and fish forms. A summit cliff on the crater of [[Kilauea]] is one of his most sacred spots. At one point he had a ''[[heiau]]'' (temple or shrine) dedicated to him on every piece of land that jutted into the ocean on the island of [[Molokai]]. Kamohoali'i was an ancestral god, not a human who became a shark and banned the eating of humans after eating one herself.<ref name=oahustories>{{cite web|url=http://apdl.kcc.hawaii.edu/~oahu/stories/ewa/kaahupahau.htm |title=Traditions of O'ahu: Stories of an Ancient Island |access-date=August 14, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918001834/http://apdl.kcc.hawaii.edu/~oahu/stories/ewa/kaahupahau.htm |archive-date=September 18, 2009 }}</ref><ref name=soh>{{cite book
|title=Sharks of Hawaii: Their Biology and Cultural Significance
|last=Taylor |first=Leighton R.
|publisher=University of Hawaii Press
|isbn=978-0-8248-1562-2
|date=November 1993}}</ref> In Fijian mythology, [[Dakuwaqa]] was a shark god who was the eater of lost souls.

====In American Samoa====
On the island of [[Tutuila]] in [[American Samoa]] (a [[Territories of the United States|U.S. territory]]), there is a location called [[Turtle and Shark]] (''Laumei ma Malie'') which is important in [[Culture of Samoa|Samoan culture]]—the location is the site of a legend called ''O Le Tala I Le Laumei Ma Le Malie'', in which two humans are said to have transformed into a turtle and a shark.<ref name="American_Samoa_NPS">{{cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/pdfs/14000925.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025150009/https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/pdfs/14000925.pdf |archive-date=2018-10-25 |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form - Turtle and Shark (American Samoa) |publisher=United States National Park Service |access-date=October 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ryanwoodwardart.com/my-works/the-turtle-and-the-shark/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025153020/https://ryanwoodwardart.com/my-works/the-turtle-and-the-shark/ |archive-date=2018-10-25 |website=Ryanwoodwardart.com |title=The Turtle And The Shark |access-date=October 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.janesoceania.com/samoa_legends/index.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128153339/http://www.janesoceania.com/samoa_legends/index.htm |archive-date=2018-11-28 |website=Janesocienia.coam |title=Samoa - Some Legends of Samoa |access-date=October 25, 2018}}</ref> According to the [[U.S. National Park Service]], "Villagers from nearby [[Vaitogi, American Samoa|Vaitogi]] continue to reenact an important aspect of the legend at Turtle and Shark by performing a ritual song intended to summon the legendary animals to the ocean surface, and visitors are frequently amazed to see one or both of these creatures emerge from the sea in apparent response to this call."<ref name="American_Samoa_NPS"/>

====In popular culture====
{{Main|Sharks in popular culture}}

In contrast to the complex portrayals by Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, the European and Western view of sharks has historically been mostly of fear and malevolence.<ref name=Dean>{{cite book|author=Crawford, Dean|year=2008|title=Shark|publisher=Reaktion Books|pages=47–55|isbn=978-1861893253}}</ref> Sharks are used in popular culture commonly as eating machines, notably in the ''[[Jaws (novel)|Jaws]]'' novel and the [[Jaws (film)|film of the same name]], along with its [[Jaws (franchise)#Films|sequels]].<ref>{{Cite journal|url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292815843|title = Southern shark lore forty years after Jaws: The positioning of sharks within Murihiku, New Zealand|last1 = Jøn|first1 = A. Asbjørn|date = 2015|journal = Australian Folklore: A Yearly Journal of Folklore Studies|first2 = Raj S.|last2 = Aich|issue = 30}}</ref> Sharks are threats in other films such as ''[[Deep Blue Sea (1999 film)|Deep Blue Sea]]'', ''[[The Reef (2010 film)|The Reef]]'', and [[List of killer shark films|others]], although they are sometimes used for comedic effect such as in ''[[Finding Nemo]]'' and the ''[[Austin Powers (film series)|Austin Powers]]'' series. Sharks tend to be seen quite often in cartoons whenever a scene involves the ocean. Such examples include the ''[[Tom and Jerry]]'' cartoons, ''[[Jabberjaw]]'', and other shows produced by Hanna-Barbera. They also are used commonly as a clichéd means of killing off a character that is held up by a rope or some similar object as the sharks swim right below them, or the character may be standing on a [[Walking the plank|plank]] above shark infested waters.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}

====Popular misconceptions====
A popular myth is that sharks are immune to disease and [[cancer]], but this is not scientifically supported. Sharks have been known to get cancer.<ref>{{cite journal
|author=Finkelstein JB
|title=Sharks do get cancer: few surprises in cartilage research
|journal=Journal of the National Cancer Institute
|volume=97
|issue=21
|pages=1562–3
|year=2005
|pmid=16264172
|doi=10.1093/jnci/dji392|doi-access=free
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
|author1=Ostrander GK |author2=Cheng KC |author3=Wolf JC |author4=Wolfe MJ |title=Shark cartilage, cancer and the growing threat of pseudoscience
|journal=Cancer Research
|volume=64
|issue=23
|pages=8485–91
|year=2004
|pmid=15574750
|doi=10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-04-2260|doi-access=free
}}</ref> Both diseases and [[parasites]] affect sharks. The evidence that sharks are at least resistant to cancer and disease is mostly [[anecdotal]] and there have been few, if any, scientific or [[statistical]] studies that show sharks to have heightened immunity to disease.<ref>{{cite magazine
| url = http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/08/0820_030820_sharkcancer.html
| title = Do Sharks Hold Secret to Human Cancer Fight?
| magazine = National Geographic
| access-date = 2006-09-08
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20120716072116/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/08/0820_030820_sharkcancer.html
| archive-date = 2012-07-16
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>
Other apparently false claims are that fins prevent [[cancer]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prostatecancertreatment.co.uk/treatment-options/alternative-approaches |title=Alternative approaches to prostate cancer treatment |access-date=2008-06-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602134207/http://www.prostatecancertreatment.co.uk/treatment-options/alternative-approaches |archive-date=June 2, 2008 }}</ref> and treat [[osteoarthritis]].<ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/03/health/03cancer.html
|title=Shark Cartilage, Not a Cancer Therapy
|last=Pollack
|first=Andrew
|date=3 June 2007
|newspaper=New York Times
|access-date=2009-08-29
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211030840/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/03/health/03cancer.html
|archive-date=11 December 2008
|url-status=live
}}</ref> No scientific proof supports these claims; at least one study has shown shark cartilage of no value in cancer treatment.<ref>The results of a study sponsored by the [[National Cancer Institute]], and led by Dr. Charles Lu of the [[M.D. Anderson Cancer Center]] in [[Houston, Texas]], were presented at the annual meeting of the [[American Society of Clinical Oncology]] on June 2, 2007 in [[Chicago]]. Cancer patients treated with extracts from shark cartilage had a '''shorter''' median lifespan than patients receiving a placebo. {{cite web|url=http://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/library/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=338&Itemid=27 |title=Shark fin won't help fight cancer, but ginseng will |access-date=2008-06-23 }}{{dead link|date=July 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>