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Journal article
Does the interruption of eye contact between humans and Caribbean reef sharks, Carcharhinus perezi, influence the sharks' approach patterns?
Journal of ecotourism, Vol.20(3), pp.270-281
07/03/2021
Web of Science ID: WOS:000623063100001
Abstract
As ecotourists become increasingly interested in snorkeling and diving with sharks, it is important to establish directives for safe interactions. The study considered eye contact between humans and approaching sharks, examining specifically whether an interruption in it owing to, for example, a person glancing at a camera or regarding where to retreat, would affect a shark's behavior. In standardized field tests, divers maintained or interrupted eye contact with approaching Caribbean reef sharks, Carcharhinus perezi. The results showed a significant difference in the sharks' approaches depending on whether the divers maintained or interrupted eye contact with them. More specifically, the analysis revealed that sharks came significantly closer to the divers when eye contact was interrupted and also reduced their speed.
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Details
- Title
- Does the interruption of eye contact between humans and Caribbean reef sharks, Carcharhinus perezi, influence the sharks' approach patterns?
- Publication Details
- Journal of ecotourism, Vol.20(3), pp.270-281
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Grant note
- ProWin ProNature Foundation
- Copyright
- © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
- Identifiers
- WOS:000623063100001; 99380171564606600
- Academic Unit
- Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering ; Mathematics and Statistics
- Language
- English