The push to change the language around shark ‘interactions’

The national shark attack database has changed its name in a bid to combat stigma around sharks.
The database, formerly known as the Australian Shark Attack File, is now known as the Shark Incident Database and will use the terms bites, interactions and negative encounters.
Shark expert from the Australian Marine Conservation Society, Dr Leonardo Guida, said language is important.
“When it comes to sharks and shark bites, what we have to make sure is we communicate the incident accurately,” he told 6PR Mornings.
“We have seen in media in the past where there have been instances with sharks that haven’t even touched someone or maybe just bumped someone on a surf board, and it’s called an attack, and in that instance there you would probably call it an encounter.
“So it’s really important to communicate accurately because this affects the public’s perception of an animal, which we ultimately we have to live alongside with, and in understanding that animal better, we can actually improve beach safety, with non lethal technology like drones and tagging sharks.
“But also when we look at how we manage our fisheries it’s also important that that perception is accurate because ultimately sharks are really important to the food web, and if we take the attitude that sharks are a big bad monster that needs to be killed, at the end of the day that could ultimately affect the seafood that lands on our plate.”
Shark attack survivor Brian Sierakowski said it was “political correctness gone mad”.
“I can’t understand the stupidity of what’s being suggested.”
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