Tourist Dies in Shark Attack Off Israel’s Hadera Coast

A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Hadera, Israel, when a tourist lost his life following an attack by a species of shark previously deemed harmless. The man was swimming approximately 100 meters from the shore when he encountered a group of dusky sharks. Eyewitnesses reported that one of the sharks approached his GoPro camera, after which he was heard screaming for help, stating, “Help… they’re biting me.” He subsequently disappeared from view, as the water turned crimson with blood.

Rescue teams arrived at the scene; however, local reports indicate that the man had vanished by that time. Following extensive searches, human remains were recovered the next day. According to a report published in the journal Ethology, forensic analysis confirmed the victim’s identity and concluded that he had been attacked by multiple sharks during the incident.

Dusky sharks can grow to about 3 meters (10 feet) in length, but they are typically shy and cautious around humans. Experts suggest that this rare assault may be attributed to several factors, including a feeding frenzy, the warm water released from local desalination plants, and an abundance of food waste in the region.

Human interactions have altered the natural behavior of dusky sharks. Local boat operators, in an effort to attract tourists, have been throwing fish scraps into the water, inadvertently teaching the sharks to associate humans with food. This practice has led to a behavioral pattern known as “begging,” where sharks approach divers in search of handouts. Scientists have observed that during feeding times, dusky sharks exhibit frenzied behavior driven by competition for food.

The report states, “The competition for access to the food resource overrides the species’ usual behavior, including the intrinsic non-instinctive nature of the (human) prey.” This situation likely resulted from what scientists describe as “juxtaposition bites,” with two motivations at play: a reflexive bite driven by food begging and multiple predatory bites triggered by the frenzy.

Experts are calling for immediate action to prevent future tragedies involving dusky sharks. The primary recommendation is to eliminate the begging behavior by implementing a complete ban on public feeding of sharks. They argue that while other measures could be complementary, none would be as effective in safeguarding both humans and sharks.

The incident has raised significant concerns about the safety of tourists and the interaction between humans and marine life in the area. As local authorities assess the situation, the focus remains on finding a balance between tourism and the natural ecosystem.