A marine biologist has reassured the public that it is safe to swim in the sea following a suspected shark attack off the coast of Cornwall. The incident occurred during a snorkeling trip organized by Blue Shark Snorkel on 28 July, leaving one person injured.
Marine biologist Hannah Rudd described the event as an 'incredibly rare occurrence' and encouraged people to continue enjoying the beaches responsibly. 'Please go out and enjoy the beaches responsibly and enjoy the sea in all its salty goodness,' she told BBC Breakfast.
The victim, who was treated at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, described the incident as a 'freak event' and urged that sharks should not be judged by it. Matt Slater of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust noted that participants on such trips sign disclaimers acknowledging the tiny risk involved.
Rudd emphasized that while sharks are apex predators, attacks are extremely rare. She advised anyone wishing to swim with sharks to do so with a professional operator and follow safety guidelines, such as keeping a safe distance and not touching the animals.
Blue sharks, which visit UK waters from the Caribbean during summer, primarily feed on small fish and squid. The Shark Trust reported that there have been no unprovoked shark bites in British waters since records began in 1847.
Rudd also addressed concerns about climate change, stating that while it has led to shifting distributions of sharks, this does not necessarily mean an increase in abundance. She stressed that many shark species are under threat from human activities like commercial fishing.
