Myth Sharks are hungry man eaters looking for any chance to attack.
Fact Sharks have no desire to eat humans. Most of the "attacks" on humans are a mistake, which is why there are so many more bites than fatalities. There are around 350 species of sharks, but white, tiger, and bull sharks are the species responsible for the majority of all attacks.

Myth Sharks are all the same.
Fact The reality is just the opposite. Shark species are very different in size, appearance, habitat, diet, and behavior. The typical Jaws vision is far from the norm.

Myth Shark attacks are on the rise.
Fact An individual's risk of a shark attack has not increased. With more people swimming, diving, surfing, and boating in waters where sharks live, there are more people interacting with sharks.

Myth Sharks are useless and we would be better off without them.
Fact Sharks are important to the health of ocean ecosystems. As the top predators, sharks keep the food web in balance.

Myth Since sharks provide an economic value through their many products, you might as well use them while you can.
Fact Sharks are actually worth more alive than dead since tourists pay huge sums of money to dive with sharks. Their position in the ecosystem also helps regulate economically important seafood fisheries below them in the food chain.

SAD TRUTHS: Shark fins drying in Callao, Peru (Oceana/LX)