This Shark Week, people visiting the Gulf Coast are a little more weary than usual after a wave of shark videos and news of multiple shark attacks.
The increase in attacks has people asking if there are more sharks in the water or if we’re only seeing them more because people carry phones with cameras these days.
Dr. Sean Powers, the senior marine scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and University of South Alabama Marine Sciences researcher, spoke on “Midday Mobile” with Sean Sullivan and confirmed there are more sharks around.
“There's no doubt and and we've talked about this before,” Powers said. “A lot of it has to do with the protections of the federal management of shark species and they are purposefully rebuilding shark populations.”
Certain shark species do not start reproducing until they are 15 – 25 years old, so Powers said there has been a bit of a lag in the “rebuilding” of the shark population.
Powers said some species have improved so much in population that he believes some protections, such as those on the sandbar sharks, should be lifted.
“I should say that we're still in a situation where more sharks need conservation than don't need it,” he added. “Sandbars are just an example of one that I believe has rebuilt.”
Powers said he is thankful for Shark Week and believes shows featured on the Discovery Channel have helped raise interest in marine, coastal and environmental sciences.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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