I just love Sharks ok

they are so cool!

Published on August 3, 2004 By Muggaz In Blogging

I recently got a bit hazy in one of my articles and I feel the need to justify myself…

I just like Sharks ok – is that a crime? Everyday, I sit idly by, watching people lambaste and criticise the sharks, just for them being lean, mean, advanced predatory machines.

Living in Australia, I hear about sharks a lot. Being a beach boy myself, I have encountered Sharks on more than one occasion. My grandma used to live in a quaint little beach town by the name of Cape Patterson – my auntie owned the local pub, and they lived about 100 metres from Surf Beach #1 – I know, a great original name, but Surf Beach #1 was much better than Surf Beach #2

Anywho – this little 100m walk to the beach, we even encountered snakes, which my grandma’s dog, who’s name was Boss, chased away fervently much to our delight! One day, I was out in the water with my cousin’s ex-husband Dominic, and he was an avid surfer. We had patronised this beach our whole lives, and we knew sharks were out there, but we were comfortable in the water, because we knew it so well.

Dominic and I were about 1km out, at the break on the reef – this was when I was about 9 or 10 years old, one of my first boarding experiences. Dom was a seasoned surfer, so even though I was far away from the shore, I was comfortable in his presence.

I was getting tired, and I began swimming back to the shore, and I was half way there… All of the sudden, I see Dominic telling me to sit on my board, and head back calmly, he looked a bit panicked, but I wasn’t alarmed… so yeah, I just mosey on back to the shore, and apply myself to re-apply (Sunscreen that is)

As I am sitting on my towel, I am watching Dom make his way back at a faster pace than usual, and he actually looks a bit flustered, automatically as soon as he got to walking depth, we could see what had happened, there was a massive chunk taken out of his surf board – the only possible culprit, a big shark.

Dom explained that a shark had taken a crunch out of his board as I was half way back to shore, and ever since that day, I have felt that sharks are not respected nearly as much as they need to be.

The reason that Dominic was not bitten is because he paid the sharks the respect they deserve. Other than humans, they are the most advanced species on our planet, surviving and perfecting their skills since prehistoric times. Dom knew that if he panicked, he was finished. Sharks smell fear.

I am prone to flicking the remote when at home, and when a documentary on sharks crosses my path, I am inadvertently captivated. These creatures deserve tremendous respect. It really hurts my feelings when there has been a shark attack, and the local fishing communities scream bloody murder.

As recently as 3 weeks ago, there was a fatality in Australian waters, and the local community entered a vendetta against the Great White Shark responsible – now, Great White Sharks are a protected species, as the magnificent beasts should be, however, the Australian government have allowed the capture and flakefying of Sharks that commit murder – this is fair I hear you say – no it most certainly is not.

The common denominator in shark attack’s, is the fact that they are all in water, and that just happens to be where the shark lives! Fancy that!!! If there was a shark community and sharks came and chilled on the land for their leisure activities, and imagine if a human killed a shark, because they thought it was food! Would you expect the community of sharks to come and kill that human because it was acting based on natural instincts?

In spite of popular opinion, Sharks don’t get kicks out of eating humans, they think we taste rotten. You can tell from the bite marks – sharks most certainly have the capacity to rip a human to shreds with their powerful jaws, but a majority of shark attacks only end up in scarring – as soon as the shark knows we aren’t their food, they release their grip, and swim off… unless of course, you are flapping about and splashing in a state of fear… doing exactly what a seal or walrus would do.

I have seen people who can stand in water with hundreds of sharks, yet, they just meditate, control their fear, and the sharks do nothing… sharks are our friends.

I am but one person, however, I think the Sharks deserve a bit of good publicity… I am sure our government appreciates the fact they are guarding our borders from crazy New Zealanders, Indonesians and even Tasmanians swimming to the mainland…

So, in summary – I am sorry I got all worked up in defence of the Shark yesterday, it’s a subconscious love as well – ever since I was younger there have always been limericks involving me and Sharks, so there is certainly an emotional attachment… I just think they are adorable, with their big teeth, and smooth gliding style…

Awww… now I am rambling…

BAM!!!!

Comments (Page 1)

mignuna

on Aug 03, 2004

and even Tasmanians swimming to the mainland…

ewww. we can't have those people getting over here

i'm with you, muggy. sharks are beautiful creatures. i really liked this article.

mig XX

SSG Geezer

on Aug 03, 2004

They are what they are. Predators so people should get used to it.
Love your blog muggaz.

dharmagrl

on Aug 03, 2004

I like sharks too.

I got bumped by a nurse shark when I was surfing at Spanish House in Florida. People think that sharks have smooth skin, but they don't. I had a big red graze on my calf from where it rubbed past my legs...and I about needed a clean pair of undies after my encounter!

Muggaz

on Aug 03, 2004

Ah Yes Dharma!!!

It must have rubbed you the wrong way!!! *chuckle*

Sharks have skin like reptiles, smooth one side, and if you rub it the other way, it is actually quite course and it creates friction!!! thats why you dont see sharks swimming backwards!!!

Thanks for reading Geeza!!!

that was a nice thing for you to say!!!

ewww. we can't have those people getting over here

I think they already made it to South Australia Miggy

BAM!!!

momijiki

on Aug 03, 2004

All I can think about is that scene from "Finding Nemo" where the shark says, "Fish are friends, not food."

carebear07

on Aug 03, 2004

All I can think about is that scene from "Finding Nemo" where the shark says, "Fish are friends, not food."

Omg!! That's what i thought about too!!

Muggaz, I love this article. I do agree that sharks are not and should not be enemies. Totally awesome article Muggaz!

~carebear~

Muggaz

on Aug 03, 2004

Hmmm... I really must check out this Nemo movie properly... I watched it once, but it was after a really big weekened, and it's all kind of a blur... I do have a friend that reminds me of the turtle though, whatever his name may be.

Thanks fro your cool comments guys!!! It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside that not everyone has a grudge against Sharks just because they are so hard-core!!!

In Quensland, and places like the Bahama's and South Africa, swimming with sharks in a cage is a popular tourist attraction... I plan on doing it the first chance I get... to have a the magnificent great white pointer feed metres away from you would be an exhilarating experience indeed!!! it's a good recomendation for those that have a phobia of our deep sea dwelling friends!!!

BAM!!!

mignuna

on Aug 03, 2004

I think they already made it to South Australia Miggy

you naughty boy hehe

amused mig XXX

H-Bomb

on Aug 03, 2004

I have read it u dweeb........but yeah my email at works not working today...won't let me send out emails....

but for the love of god hurry up and watch Nemo u tool bag....its da best ever

Muggaz

on Aug 03, 2004

but yeah my email at works not working today...won't let me send out emails

Hehehehe... thats why my forum whoring can be explained - you aren't keeping me entertained!!!

I have watched it - I was just in an In00briated state, and I forget it...

BAM!!!

carebear07

on Aug 03, 2004

but for the love of god hurry up and watch Nemo u tool bag....its da best ever

Yes, it is like the best movie.

~carebear~

H-Bomb

on Aug 03, 2004

keep urself entertained mister............its not my job

well watch it again u will love it heaps.....dori is the best shes sooooooooooooo funny

Muggaz

on Aug 03, 2004

dori is the best shes sooooooooooooo funny

Actually, I remember that one... she never remembered anything right? I found her extremely annoying... thats probably why you like her so much eh Haz?

BAM!!!

H-Bomb

on Aug 03, 2004

HEHEHEHE yup.......she reminds me of me

but shes just so funny and the lines she comes out with ahhhhhhhh funny funny funny...i may go home and watch it tonight actually.....

Gideon MacLeish

on Aug 03, 2004

I have the same policy towards rattlesnakes and scorpions. If I encounter them outside, I give them a wide berth, but do not kill them (in the case of the snakes, I will kill them if they are in our yard, but only after I have attempted a live capture and removal). The desert is their environment, their home.

In my home, however, I won't hesitate to kill them (though I again attempt live capture first).

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