A new study has found that shark attacks on humans increase during the full moon phase. Researchers from Louisiana State University and the University of Florida examined nearly 50 years of data on shark attacks and discovered an increase in incidents when the moon is brighter.
The researchers found that when the moon is between half and full, indicated by more than 50% moonlight, unprovoked shark attacks were above average. In contrast, during less than 40% moonlight, there were significantly fewer attacks than average.
Sharks are not the only creatures that become more aggressive during the full moon. A study conducted in the UK in 2000, which looked at patients visiting the emergency department due to animal bites from 1997 to 1999, found a significant increase in attacks during the full moon.
While the shark study does not provide a clear reason for the connection between the full moon and increased attacks, it suggests that lunar-induced geomagnetic activity may impact animal behavior. The researchers state that there is strong evidence showing that geomagnetic activity fluctuates with moon phases, and it is well-established that sharks can perceive and respond to electromagnetic stimuli, which are crucial for their migratory behaviors.
Researchers from the British National Centre for Scientific Research proposed that the moon may create tides on Earth, affecting this electromagnetic field, which means that the full moon could influence the Earth's magnetic field and "lead to migration or affect reproductive physiology," thus bringing sharks into areas where they are more likely to encounter humans.
Sharks may also interact with the moon's effect on tides, or the increased brightness of moonlight might impact their vision. The study cautions against considering moonlight as a definitive risk factor for shark attacks but suggests that it may contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of shark behavior, which could help manage risks in the future, according to the British Daily Mail.
