"Let's go kill some sharks!"
Just over one week ago, you read here about how my bucolic North County, San Diego seaside paradise has been transformed into a Great White-infested hell. Oh, beaches were closed as juvenile sharks circled and jumped like the waves were their own, shuttering breaks from Carlsbad to Del Mar.
Del Mar’s chief lifeguard, John Edelbrock, described the sharks’ behavior as docile — “not aggressive in any way.”
Well, those Great Whites swimming on the eastern seaboard must have taken note and, like the great east vs. west rap battles of old, threw down an absolute hammer track. Over 300 sharks have forced the closure of 60 beaches this summer so far.
Are these sharks docile, not aggressive in any way, like their west coast foils? We must turn to the Brexit’s Daily Mail for more.
Charles Vansant was the first victim, a strapping 25-year-old stockbroker swimming in water only chest-deep when the shark struck.
Anxious to encourage a reluctant dog to join him, the young American hadn’t noticed the dark shadow and tell-tale protruding fin behind him. The Great White shark shredded his left leg to the bone, virtually tearing it from his body.
Mr Vansant was helped back to the beach, but bled to death at a nearby hotel. ‘His death was the most horrible thing I ever saw,’ said a witness.
That incident was, of course, the first 1916 attack, likely by a Bull not a White, that lead to many more and a run of shark paranoia on the east coast, eventually fictionalized by the film Jaws. Well, the Daily Mail pivots straight from early Jaws folklore to our modern day.
Between July and early August, some 60 beaches have been closed because of shark sightings around Cape Cod, the Massachusetts summer paradise near where Jaws was filmed.
At least 300 Great Whites — sometimes 15ft-long monsters in just 5ft of water — have been spotted around the Cape. Officials have responded by putting up new warning signs about Great Whites and issuing lifeguards with tourniquets to staunch bleeding from bites. Purple shark-emblazoned warning flags fly at beaches at all times.
On and on the Daily Mail piece goes, whipping the reader into an absolute frenzy, pivoting back and forth from yesteryear to modern times, begging the readers to take up pitchforks, or harpoons, and go out a stabbin’.
Like… Lifeguards, hearing a bloodcurdling scream, turned to see what they thought was a red upturned canoe in the water. It was Charles Bruder, a 28-year-old hotel bellboy, swimming in his own blood that had pooled around him.
And… ‘Let’s go kill some sharks!’ became a popular rallying cry. Just as in Jaws, fishermen took to their boats looking for the shark, while police officers reported blasting away at suspicious shadows in the water. However, in the midst of the panic, Dr Lucas and other experts still insisted further attacks would be very unlikely. They were wrong.
So should we?
Should we take up pitchforks and/or harpoons and/or big ol’ guns?
Also, were you Team Bad Boy or Team Death Row?
More as the terror develops.
The writer is aweful and perpuating the man-eating shark stigma that has been killing sharks for decades. 1. Screw this author. 2. Sharks kill less people than vending machines.
Apparently sanctimony is a dish best served lukewarm and poorly prepared by a large group of chefs who have never stepped foot a the kitchen.
It’s no different than getting behind the wheel of a car you risk ur life everyday so if you don’t want to be something dinner stay out off its dinner plate the water belongs to them not us
The whole earth belongs to humans. Wake up!
the earth is our home,oceans are on earth,creatures eat creatures all the time,creatures defend themselves,their young and their territory..its a merry-go-round .. kill sharks
I have never seen a shark on land so if we also stay away from their territory, no one will be hurt.
So we aren’t allowed to enjoy the oceans? We just have to “stay out”? Obviously you don’t go in the ocean, so, for you, that’s easy to say. For those of us who love the ocean, it’s not that simple. As humans, everywhere is our “territory”, so maybe the sharks need to stay out of our territory.
Ah, nobody cares if YOU get eaten. So it’s all good.
Lol! Totally. It’s all fine until it affects you, or someone you love.
The ocean is their home, no matter where they are. It’s not acceptable for anyone to enter your homes to kill you, is it? As for Carlsbad to Del Mar, CA, that sounds like a newly realized pupping area. Please remember that sharks are not purposefully trying to eat people. There are so many seals in that area that mistakes happen. Think about the chances you take for yourself and your family.
What moron wrote this jumping waves like they were the sharks waves guess what the ocean is the sharks home not ours Everytime u go in the water it’s risky how many sharks have people killed for shark fin soup it isn’t our home
I don’t kill sharks because I’m afraid they’re going to attack people. I kill sharks because I like to cut their jaws out and hang them on my wall.
is that you George G?
After the “Kursk” and Japan reactor cores melting down,Our planet will need every shark to remove the infected and keep the Ocean healthy.Without sharks,Ocean dies.Just as Tick poison kills bees,no bees,no nothing.I am awaiting them being protected and glory hunters hang from the mast of their boats ,on the spot.
You have no idea what you’re talking about. What about megalodon? It’s now extinct and the oceans haven’t “died”. There are plenty of other species of shark in the ocean to keep it “clean”. No one wants all species killed, just the man-eaters.
Why are you worried about ‘man’ eaters?
Oh, yeah, that’s not PC…people-eaters…
Just like you gutless fucking pussies. Always waiting for someone else to do your dirty work. Why don’t you man up and do it yourself, little pussy.
Survival of the fittest. Sharks that kill people gotta go.
That’s exactly the opposite of survival of the fittest
Obviously you misunderstood my point. We are easily capable of taking out the entire shark population (should we desire), so therefore we are the “fittest”. That being said, I’m reasonable. I don’t want to kill all sharks, just the ones that kill people i.e. bull, tiger and great whites. If it comes down to human life, or animal life, I’ll pick human every time.
I hope you read about apex predators and their impact on the environment. I’m okay trading a few human lives to keep the ecosystem intact
Don’t bring up the fragile ecosystems. Do you have any idea how many species go extinct on any given day? Dozens!! And were still here! If you look at the second law of thermodynamics the earth is going to die at some point no matter what we do. Now, understand, I’m all about being a good steward, just not at the expense of human life. Tell me. What would happen to the ecosystem if all man-eating sharks were suddenly gone?
Small minded people think we should kill sharks because they restore balance to life. I’m sure war and weapons misused don’t kill millions. Sharks don’t come to land to attack you. Grow up.
You have to Understand that you are in their Environment and their Domain. Anytime you go into the Sea you swim with everything that lives in the ocean. I know some Friends of mine Who have killed Sharks along the Beach and we have had our self A Fried Shark meal and Shark fin Soup for sometimes weeks on end which tastes Awesome.. We need to be caretakers of the Species in the Ocean but must also use all of its Renewable resources of Food it Provides for us all Including SHARKS. And young Great white SHARKS are my favorite, their meat is very sweet and full filling with Nutrients and Cartilage from the Ocean… so let’s all be Considerate and Also be mindful that these are here for us as ENJOYMENT and as FOOD. for us All…🦈🦈 your Friend, BEACHCOMBER GIRL…..🧜🏾♀️🦋🌺🏳️🌈💜🍻👍
Yes the seal population has grown, and yes white sharks eat them. You have been swimming with them hand in fin for many years now. Have you gotten bit? If your answer is yes then you might have been swimming to close to the seal population. Surfers and body boarders are most at risk because they outside the break. Whites in shallow waters are sun bathing getting some awesome vitamin D. Plus that shallow they’re easily spotted and like bears or large mouth bass easily scared. So if you see it first, two things come to mind. First get out of the water, or swim at it and confront it. Chances are no matter what you do you wont have an issue. Just dont hang out with the seals. Remember they’re older than you and will be gone by October. Dont want big sharks might as well go baby seal clubbing. Just saying. (DON’T CLUB BABY SEALS, DEAL WITH LIFE THAT HAS BEEN, AND DEAL WITH IT!)
The seals are too much. They ruin fish populations and attract sharks. I mean idk, we could do something.
The Oceans are being depleted by humans .Have you ever watched a TRAWLER?? Educate yourself before posting.Research China and Japan fishing trawlers.
TRAWLER
https://m.youtube.com/watch…
Was this shark sunbathing? I personally think humans should be unapologetic apex predators. You don’t see the cat apologizing to the mouse. Fuck these sharks. All the people that say we are in their environment are just pussies who don’t use the ocean. Someday I think we will no longer be the peak apex predator on this planet but until then why should I feel bad for eliminating threats I’m capable of eliminating. I think if teradactles were eating people’s children left and right then some of these pussy environmentalist would have a different take on natural order. Bad boy 4 life.
https://media1.giphy.com/me…
He can’t go down with three barrels on him not with three barrels he can’t.
Cats eat rats. They are unapologetic because they do it by instinct, not because they want to have a space to play in the water.
I believe you are confusing the action of instinctively hunting with arbitrarily killing.
I hate to have to tell you this but that protein your eating comes from animals mostly. Humans started as hunters and gatherers meaning their instinct drove them to consume other animals. I hope you don’t think that humans are just murdering sharks for fun. I’m not saying we should decimate the shark populations either what I’m calling into question is the international protection on great white sharks. We don’t even know how many there are worldwide yet we are protecting them arbitrarily. It’s because they are ultra charismatic mega fauna. There are certain species that humans want to place importance on over others and great white sharks have made the cut.
Are you that ignorant or just an abusive selfish ass? Sharks are needed. I swim in the ocean and rivers. The east coast has become a nursery. So with that being said those are baby and teen age whites out there. People on booty boards and surf boards look like seals to sharks when they look up. Duh. Baby sharks are testing. We dint taste good to them. And most humans dont have enough fat content for sharks. If it were bot for the sharks the eco system of oceans seas and rivers would be over grown by other fish as well as sick fish which could pass the illness ro other fish species like whales dolphins, sea bass down to clams sea horses etc. Your just as ass who doesnt under stand science and has an IQ of 6. So before spout bullshit do some research and understand what is going on. Also sharks do have a natural predator and that is the orca. I for one also feel if your going to kill an animal use the whole body. What you dont want give away. There are people out there who don’t have enough m ok ne for food and work their butts off. I REALL HATE IGNORANT PEOPLE. MAKES ME SICK KNOWING THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS READ AND SELF EDUCATE. SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST TO LAZY TO DO THAT INE THING.
I’m in favor of culling some humans as well. Ecosystems are always in flux they aren’t static. I imagine in all your scientific research you came across information about the dinosaurs. They used to be apex predators then they went extinct and were replaced by whatever species was most well suited to a changing environment. Right now is humanities time to shine. At some point our species will be out competed by something else and our fate will follow the dinosaurs. This is true of all species including sharks. I know they’re wicked cute and all but try to zoom out a bit and look at the bigger picture. I love people and I only like sharks
I also agree with using the whole animal it’s fucking disgusting when humans are wasteful with life
Your wrong! People used those beaches for years without incident. The seal and shark populations need to drastically culled
You are disgusting and a moron.Without those sharks the Oceans will parish. Stay out if their domain. Don’t mess with Mother Nature.Humans are destroying their world and this forsaken planet. It is humans like you that are causing this uproar.
and yeah the people population has exploded in SoCal , as seal and shark populations return to normal….thought about culling too many people?
Shit just realized it’s the USA , you are already culling each other with your 1st culling amendment provision in your constitution!
That freedom of press is a real killer. Too bad we can’t seem to rein them in a bit with their hate mongering.
Baby seals don’t kill humans.
Same problem with Grizzlies and mountain lions.
You are definitely UNEDUCATED..it is showing tremendously here.Typical.
What’s your education?
we have the same problem here in Australia with our killer Koala drop bears and wild wombats!
This is one of the shallowest, most insipid and point blank sensationalist articles I’ve read in a while.
Not only are you cherry-picking to try to twist what everybody now knows to be 99% exploratory behaviour and mistaken identity by sharks, you’re ignoring the fact that we already deliberately kill 1 to 200 million a year for the six people or so who are killed worldwide, invariably by mistake.
Waters aren’t shark infested. That’s where they live. We visit certain places knowing they are in the vicinity.
Inciting people to kill sharks is immature and wrong.
Paige Winter lost fingers and a leg to a shark and still understands that they need protection. Perhaps try balanced journalism and attempting her depth of understanding.
And try to find out something about what you write about before you write it, because this article has made it very clear you know little about either sharks or writing.
The terrible photoshopped image at the head just underlines all of this, old chap.
“ This is one of the shallowest, most insipid and point blank sensationalist articles I’ve read in a while.“
Were you expecting the Journal of Applied Physics ?
Oh and I believe the image is from some crapulous movie or other, put up for ridiculous extremity.
It should be pretty obvious that this isn’t meant to be a serious article. I guess not though.
Maybe they should change the name from click bait to shark bait …… it certainly lured some odd fish into BG’s Net …. ?
Algorithm Shark dodo do do ….
Haha, I think everybody on cape cod needs to do some yoga and have a glass a wine, or whatever it is that makes them calm down. Geez.
Thank you for your post…I wholeheartedly agree. The oceans are Marine life’s territory and to cite killing them is horribly wrong. These sharks are vital to the ocean’s balance. This guy is completely clueless.
So you’re advocating we slaughter/cull significant numbers in pinneped colonies. I agree. Let’s kill them all. Then the sharks will hunt somewhere else.
Then they will hunt you.FOOL.
Stay out of their habitat fool.😂😂😂😂😂😂 how about cleaning the trash out of the oceans.
did you mean white trash or just all trash?
How did you all find your way to this site?
And you know this how, Suzy?
Are you a marine biologist? PhD?
Millions of people hit the water every summer,yet very few are attacked. You’re more likely to hit your head and drown in your tub than be bitten, let alone killed by a shark. I was born,raised and spent the first 30 years of my life in Florida,as kids we swam everyday,either in ponds,lakes,creeks or ocean. Me or anyone I know was or has ever been attacked by a shark,alligator or a snake for that matter. Had alligators in fresh and brackish water,sharks in salt and snakes in the weeds,bushes and weeds. Did have a friend step on and get stuck by a sting ray. It is the ocean where sharks live,but to hear most people tell it you’re sure to bitten as soon as you enter the water,thats the furthest thing from the truth.
It’s so silly when the ill informed write articles about sharks … Yes there are incidents from time to time but these occurrences are infrequent , in fact more and more people are swimming with sharks including tiger sharks and great whites …. Accidents do occur as in anything else… But the more we experience at first hand the more we learn how docile they are … Journalists and social media generally today are irresponsible…makes me think of “fake news”
How can someone be allowed to write such an stupid “article” and why I’m getting this crap of “let’s go kill’em” in my feed?
It’s a direct quotation.
San Francisco is super sharky. No one should surf here ! You can walk from the Farallons to Ghiradelli Square on their backs !! Not safe !! Don’t surf here! SHARKS! Presented by Hurley
Hahaha someone wants the back line all to themselves!
The Boy who cried Shark ? ‘Twas a happy hunting ground for a boy named Gabriel , and by mistake I watched his SF heat against Slater the other night and it looked , shitty , cold , brownish and unbelievably fucking SHARKY ….
Well done Chas, you’re drawing ’em in like uh, blood in the water.
I don’t know where they all came from!
Whoever wrote this is a mental midget
That’s racist against midgets.
The picture above the article makes up for it though doesn’t it?
For God’s sake let the sharks eat. Too many idiots on the Eastern seaboard thinking the ocean is their private pool. A shark well fed makes great news.