Seeing Sharks Up Close May Lower Fear and Boost Conservation Support

Sharks include about 500 different species, but their global numbers have dropped roughly 70% since the 1970s. Concern over this decline has led scientists to explore how people’s attitudes might influence conservation.

Juliana Gleaves, a PhD researcher at Adelaide University, is studying fear, perceptions and attitudes toward sharks. Her first findings show that people who know more about sharks tend to feel less fear and are more likely to back shark‑saving measures.

The next phase of Gleaves’s work will use virtual‑reality technology. Participants will be able to "swim" with sharks that behave neutrally, allowing researchers to see whether this immersive experience encourages more positive views of the animals.

Surfers in the study, like Duncan Chamberlain and Mal Biscoe, said they worry more about sunburn than shark bites, showing that regular ocean users often see shark risk as low compared with other hazards.

If exposure – whether real or simulated – can shift fear into curiosity, it could create a broader public base that supports policies and actions aimed at protecting shark populations.

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