Shark Attack

Essay by lukecasley November 2004

download word file, 2 pages 4.3

Whilst none of us can argue that it was a tragedy when young surfer, Brad Smith lost his life in a recent shark attack in Western Australia, it would be a grave mistake to believe that simply destroying a magnificent and endangered creature of the deep will do anything to provide comfort to his grieving family or protection to the public.

What kind of society would we become if firstly, we attacked anything and everything that even showed the remotest interest in harming any of us and secondly if we changed to rules every time we felt angry and revengeful? This would just lead to anarchy in our society. We ourselves set the boundary of endangered species being protected, what a brilliant piece of foresight and intelligence we showed to do this. One man participating in a dangerous sport, knowing the risks and being killed is not logical reason nor doesn't it give anyone the right to suddenly turn around all that has been achieved in this area.

It just plain doesn't make any sense.

Responsibility is what people who want revenge on this shark are looking for, in terms of who is responsible for this tragedy? Common sense tells us that it is not the shark. It was just reacting to a potential prey in its habitat and acted according to its instinct. Does it know that the thing on top of the water is a human? No. Does it know that if it attacks a human it is likely destroy it? No. We therefore cannot blame this creature which is completely ignorant of our human ways.

We have heard everyday since that "Destroying the shark will prevent another possible fatal attack on us." And also that "The shark was in recreational waters and will most likely attack...