When Competition Breaks the Rules: Feeding Frenzy as a Trigger for Unexpected Fatal Shark Predation Bites on a Human Sea‐User by Non Traumatogenic Carcharinids in the Oriental Mediterranean

ABSTRACT The fatal shark attack on a male tourist in Hadera (Oriental Mediterranean coast) in 2025 involved several Dusky sharks ( Carcharhinus obscurus ), a species not considered to be traumatogenic to humans. Artificial provisioning in the area has resulted in habituation with behaviors including begging, potentially resulting in a bold shark displaying a first reflex/clumsiness bite targeting the camera held by the snorkeler, unintentionally wounding him. The sound and olfactory stimuli have likely triggered a feeding frenzy leading to multiple sharks engaging in predation bites. In this case study, extreme competition between individuals has probably overridden the non‐instinctive prey nature of the human victim.

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Publication Details

Journal
Ethology
Published
2025-08-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.70013
Primary Topic
Ichthyology and Marine Biology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

When Competition Breaks the Rules: Feeding Frenzy as a Trigger for Unexpected Fatal Shark Predation Bites on a Human Sea‐User by Non Traumatogenic Carcharinids in the Oriental Mediterranean

Éric Clua, Kristian J. Parton
Ethology
Ichthyology and Marine Biology
article

When Competition Breaks the Rules: Feeding Frenzy as a Trigger for Unexpected Fatal Shark Predation Bites on a Human Sea‐User by Non Traumatogenic Carcharinids in the Oriental Mediterranean

Éric Clua, Kristian J. Parton
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT The fatal shark attack on a male tourist in Hadera (Oriental Mediterranean coast) in 2025 involved several Dusky sharks ( Carcharhinus obscurus ), a species not considered to be traumatogenic to humans. Artificial provisioning in the area has resulted in habituation with behaviors including begging, potentially resulting in a bold shark displaying a first reflex/clumsiness bite targeting the camera held by the snorkeler, unintentionally wounding him. The sound and olfactory stimuli have likely triggered a feeding frenzy leading to multiple sharks engaging in predation bites. In this case study, extreme competition between individuals has probably overridden the non‐instinctive prey nature of the human victim.

EthologyVol. 131(11)
École Pratique des Hautes Études (FR), University of Exeter (GB), Université des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines de Bamako (ML), Centre de Recherches Insulaires et Observatoire de l'Environnement (PF), Clinica Rotger (ES), University of French Polynesia (PF)
Béatrice Ederer-Weber Stiftung
Life below water
Openalex Percentile: Top 78%
Ichthyology and Marine Biology
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When Competition Breaks the Rules: Feeding Frenzy as a Trigger for Unexpected Fatal Shark Predation Bites on a Human Sea‐User by Non Traumatogenic Carcharinids in the Oriental Mediterranean — Éric Clua, Kristian J. Parton · Ethology (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS