A five-minute primer on an issue making headlines
Two little grey reef sharks - only 80cm to 90cm in length, dead as doornails and located outside the shark nets - managed to cause panic in the city last week as people questioned whether it was safe to swim. The discovery off Shek O Beach of what were initially thought to be silky sharks was made on August 30, but newspapers still plastered the news on their front pages, forcing the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to react. Lifeguards and marine police had to look out for sharks while the Government Flying Service searched for Jaws.
So what exactly are grey reef sharks?
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, meaning 'sharpened nose' in Greek, is the most common species of whaler shark found in tropical coral reefs in the Pacific and Indian oceans. Growing up to 2.6 metres in length and weighing up to 35kg, they feed on fish, squid, octopus, crustaceans and their own young. Although more active at night, they sometimes form schools - which swim close to the bottom - during the day. Grey reef sharks have a life expectancy of about 25 years.
Are they dangerous?
They have been known to attack people but only if they are cornered, attacked or feel threatened. Sometimes compared to 'a frisky dog with a bone', the sharks are territorial and aggressive. When threatened, they usually try to scare away potential threats by putting on an exaggerated display. If that doesn't work, they attack with a few quick bites before retreating. According to the International Shark Attack File, grey reefs have been responsible for seven unprovoked attacks, none fatal.
Could there be more swimming around Shek O?
