You may not know that when the full moon rises, many strange things happen on Earth: corals spawn, plankton dive deeper, seabirds roost closer to shore, and lions hunt less… Many of these behaviors are linked to moonlight, while others are influenced by tides; however, there is still no clear explanation.
Specifically, data collected over the past 50 years regarding shark attacks has revealed that: sharks attack humans more frequently during a full moon. Ecologist Steve Midway from Louisiana State University explains that: “At night, sharks can see more light. Most shark attacks occur during the day. This relationship could be mere coincidence or the result of a phenomenon known as the ‘full moon effect’.”
Sharks attack humans more frequently during a full moon
Specifically, the ‘full moon effect’ is an unproven correlation between the phases of the moon and the activities of various species of flora and fauna here on Earth. This may sound mysterious, but there is a valid reason to explain the invisible thread from Earth’s ‘neighbor’ that disrupts life on our planet.
A recent meta-analysis found compelling evidence that the tides generated by the Moon’s gravitational force can change how animals and plants sleep, move, and grow. However, the specific mechanisms behind these phenomena remain a mystery.
Most marine creatures are influenced by the moon, and sharks are no exception. Their movement and feeding behaviors have historically been tied to lunar rhythms. However, sharks are not the only large animals that alter their behavior under the moon’s influence. Surfers, who are most affected by shark attacks, have also noted that the best conditions for surfing occur around the time of the full moon.
This may imply that human activities around full moon days lead to more shark attacks. If this is true, it would be beneficial for us to understand what triggers shark aggression.
“Although this is not yet compelling evidence that shark attacks frequently occur during full moon days, these results represent the first large-scale assessment of shark attacks related to lunar cycles, opening up new avenues for investigation.”
It is also worth noting that, while frightening, shark attacks are relatively rare. Sharks play a crucial role in ocean ecosystems as apex predators. Many species are experiencing population declines or significant habitat changes that force them to move into more crowded marine areas.
According to investigations, while shark attacks are increasing due to humans venturing into the ocean more often, people have also been swimming alongside sharks with few incidents. Sharks do not target humans as prey; this can be attributed to misidentification. More research is needed to determine the causes of these occurrences, as any efforts to reduce harmful interactions must be certain. If we swim in groups or avoid the ocean during dawn and dusk, it may reduce the risk of encountering these aggressive ‘guests.’
