National shark attack database rebrands to minimise stigma
The national shark attack database has rebranded in a bid to remove the stigma attached to sharks, who experts say have been "unfairly demonised".
Formerly known as the Australian Shark Attack File, the organisation will now be referred to as the Shark Incident Database, with a particular emphasis on removing the word "attack" and instead focussing on "bites", "interactions" and "negative encounters".
Thanks to their portrayal in movies and on screens, the animals have been unreasonably branded as vicious human-killers, advocates say, when in actual fact, Australians are far more likely to be struck by lightning or killed on roads than bitten by a shark.
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The national shark attack database has rebranded in a bid to remove the stigma attached to sharks. Nine
The exhibits manager at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, Tereza Todd, said "they're just fish that swim in the ocean" and "humans aren't part of their natural diet".
"Unfortunately movies have painted a bad light on sharks," she said on 3AW.
"Sharks don't have hands, they have teeth, and in order for them to feel around their environment they use their mouth and unfortunately that can have bad consequences on people, but it's quite rare."
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Formerly known as the Australian Shark Attack File, the organisation will now be referred to as the Shark Incident Database. Nine
Ms Todd said when humans swim in the ocean, they're entering a shark's environment.
"We interact in their environment, they live in that area and sometimes they can't see very well, they might come close and realise we're not food and take off.
"You'd be surprised how often they do approach people and don't do anything.
"Shark attacks are quite rare and they don't happen very often."
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