Avoid overreaction on sharks

An unprecedented spike in shark bites over the past two years has galvanized calls for a hunt, but state officials are correct to quell talk of a cull for now in favor of a more scientific approach that emphasizes heightened human awareness and marine research tracking tiger sharks’ movement.

Historically, the period from October through December brings an increased rate of shark bites in Hawaii, a trend sadly brought home with the death this week of a Washington visitor who was fishing from a kayak about a half-mile off the coast of South Maui.

His legs were dangling off the side of the kayak as he tried to catch bait fish in water about 100 feet deep; a shark, probably a tiger, bit off his right foot and, tragically, the man bled to death from the single strike.

The man was the second person killed and the 13th person bitten by a shark this year, the highest number ever recorded in a single year here. In 2012, 10 people were bitten by sharks, none fatally.

Hawaii usually records three or four incidents a year, so the increase has gained broad notice.

There’s been much speculation about potential causes; Maui waters are of special concern, because most of the incidents have occurred there — six in 2012 and eight so far this year.

The prevailing opinion among scientists is that there are both more people and more sharks in Hawaiian waters, so the chance that they’ll interact naturally rises. There’s been an uptick in inherently dangerous ocean activities, too, such as kayak fishing, which has grown in popularity over the past five years.

While the latest death renewed calls in some quarters for an immediate shark culling, or even a hunt for the actual killer shark, that is an overreaction to be avoided. The state began a two-year study in September that tags and monitors tiger sharks off Maui, so that researchers can assess movement patterns and behavior of these ocean predators and compare it with known movement patterns around the other main islands.

That study, though it will take time, should provide valuable information to guide ocean-management decisions that could improve safety for people in the ocean while respecting the sharks’ habitat and natural behavior.

When William Aila, director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, announced the shark-tracking project in August, he noted that the incidents recorded to that date appeared to be random events involving sharks of different species and different sizes.

"There’s nothing we can yet discern that connects the incidents or provides any sort of explanation," he said then, saying that a culling was not warranted.

He rightly reiterated that view this week.

Each shark attack in Hawaii garners attention, as it should. But it’s important to keep the risk in perspective, lest fear and emotion be used to demonize an animal that is vital to our marine ecosystems.

Researchers estimate that the chance of being bitten by a shark in Hawaiian waters is less than one in a million, but it is always wise to remember that the ocean is their home. We’re the visitors.

Given that, water users should remember to remain vigilant in the ocean.

Be aware of surroundings; swim, surf and fish with other people and stay close enough to potential help; avoid murky waters; and stay out of the water where people are fishing.

Also, shark sightings will prompt the posting of signs warning of heightened danger; these should not be taken lightly.

Although the combination of more sharks and more people seems to signal a rising risk that sadly was fatal this week, the state’s measured, science-based approach remains the appropriate response.