A recent study published in Frontiers in Conservation suggests that the rise in shark attacks is influenced by selfie-taking influencers, prompting tourists to interact closely with these creatures. Researchers note many purported attacks are defensive responses to being touched by clout-seekers. Lead researcher Professor Eric Clua warns against such behavior, citing real incidents where people have been seriously harmed while attempting to take photos with sharks. An examination of past attack records indicated that a small percentage of bites were likely defensive, highlighting the dangers of reckless human-shark interactions.
I don't encourage, as many influencers do on social networks, [people] to cling to a shark's dorsal fin or stroke it, under the pretext of proving that they are harmless.
The researchers argued that many of the so-called attacks were defensive responses to being poked and prodded by online clout-seekers.
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