Being a mahimahi might seem like a fun life – lot of frolicking in the ocean and not so much with the office piece of work . However , the oceans also bear sharks , and a study of dolphinfish off Western Australia has shown just how threatening these acme predatory animal can be , as well as where the dangers are greatest .
Dr Kate Sprogisof Murdoch University ’s Cetacean Research Unit observed 343 mahimahi for signs of shark attack and found one in six bear the scar . In theJournal of Experimental and Marine Biology and EcologySprogis describe dolphins were in more danger in shelter urine , and when temperatures rise .
Off Bunbury , southwestern Australia , in locations like Koombana Bay and Leschenault Estuary a quarter of the dolphin yield pungency injury , but this was just 13 percent in coastal waters . The bites range from comparatively shallow , to some so uttermost it is astonishing the dupe survived .
“ This could be due to the fact that the water is more shallow in these sheltered waters , with less quad and few escape routes , intend affray between sharks and dolphins are more likely , ” Dr Sprogis say in astatement . “ It could also be because the acoustical detection of marauder may be more hard with more subaqueous interference from sauceboat and ships in these areas – or because the murkier piddle make it more unmanageable for the dolphin to see well . ”
Sprogis evidence IFLScience no one knows how often attack are fatal , peculiarly on dolphin calves . She added we also eff little about how dolphins escape once shark have sting them – degenerate swimming and leaping out of the water can be useful equivocation tactic , but probably are n’t much use when a shark already has you by the flipper . Perhaps if we knew how dolphin answer to shark plan of attack , we could espouse some of their approaches
The study was conduct from 2007 to 2013 , and attack increased after 2011 , which Sprogis attributes to the quick conditions at the fourth dimension . Ocean conditions off Western Australia are very dependent on the Leeuwin stream , the longest current in the world . During La Niña old age , the Leeuwin strengthens , bringing warmer waters from Indonesia , and perhaps tiger shark derive with it , which may up the attack rate on dolphins .
Surfers delight in partake in the Wave with dolphins , and many consider dolphin and sharks do n’t co - live , so dolphinfish ' mien means a beach is dependable . However , these bites on the dolphins do show they are also prey , so the weewee in which they live are unlikely to be secure havens .
