Buzz
Shark Week presents a unique chance for enthusiasts to explore the fascinating world of sharks through the lens of science and storytelling. As one of the most renowned marine-focused documentary series, it draws millions of viewers from around the globe each time it airs.
Despite its popularity, Shark Week has faced criticism over the years for some of its content choices, with many viewers expressing concerns about the quality and authenticity of certain segments.
In this list, we delve into the top ten Shark Week conspiracy theories that stir up passionate discussions among both scientists and fans. Some find these theories convincing, while others see them as just a clever marketing tool designed to capitalize on the media frenzy surrounding shark-related stories.
10. Fabricated Shark Tales
In 2014, Shark Week showcased Shark of Darkness: Wrath of Submarine, telling a chilling tale of a shark named Submarine. The documentary took viewers to the rugged coastlines of South Africa, where it recounted how a 30-foot (9-meter) great white shark preyed upon survivors after their boat sank. While the story was captivating, there was one significant flaw – the entire narrative was based on a fictional event involving a mythical shark.
This wasn’t the first time Shark Week presented a pseudo-documentary, but many viewers felt it was the most distasteful to date. The events were loosely based on a real tragedy in Hout Bay, where a ferry capsized, tragically claiming the lives of two passengers. Crafting a fictional narrative is one thing, but passing it off as an actual event stirred anger among the audience.
It turns out that the legend of Submarine originated in the 1970s, when journalists played a prank on the public. Despite being purely fabricated, the shark's legend grew over the years, with reports claiming sightings of the creature across the globe, even though it never existed.
9. Rogue Sharks
National Geographic aired a segment on rogue sharks and the possible triggers behind shark attacks. In 2018, at the Whitsundays Islands in Australia, swimmers found themselves under attack in waters that were once considered safe.
Though rogue sharks are rare, bull sharks stand out as some of the most lethal in shark attacks.
When studying sharks, researchers factor in the human influence on the Whitsundays waters. Due to the heavy water activities like boating, fishing, and paddleboarding, people have been discarding food waste by throwing scraps into the water and even using bait, practices which are forbidden. However, sharks quickly realized this area had become a feeding zone, almost like a fast food drive-thru.
Sharks learned that when something was tossed from a boat, it likely signaled a meal. This also meant that swimmers who fell off boats or paddleboards were often mistaken for prey and immediately bitten.
Many shark bites and attacks happen due to confusion. Poor visibility in murky waters, a person’s similarity to a sea lion, or even the resemblance to food waste can lead to these mistakes. Contrary to Hollywood’s portrayal of rogue sharks, attacks are actually quite infrequent.
8. Victims Tracked for Days
What would you do if you found yourself stranded in waters teeming with sharks? This question is examined in Shark Week’s 2019 special, Capsized: Blood in the Water. As with many Shark Week productions, the show is inspired by real-life events. However, some critics argue that Shark Week overly fixates on the sensational, gritty aspects of sharks, while neglecting the scientific side of things.
Blood in the Water centers on a harrowing 1982 event when a yacht crew found themselves stranded at sea after their boat capsized in a storm. One of the passengers, injured and bleeding, attracted the attention of tiger sharks. These aggressive predators circled the wrecked ship for five days, picking off the crew one by one.
While the intense, gritty narrative captivates Shark Week audiences, not all are impressed with the focus of the show. Dr. Stephen Kaijura, a shark expert at Florida Atlantic University, expressed his disappointment to NBC News, noting that Shark Week’s emphasis on sensationalism overlooks the sharks' diverse nature and their fascinating history. These elements could provide more scientific insights, but instead, the show leans on attention-grabbing themes and titles.
For both scientists and many viewers, Shark Week appears to prioritize sensational storytelling over its origins as a scientific and educational program, often missing the opportunity to focus on the creatures' true nature.
7. Shark Spies
In films, anyone can become a spy—children, elderly people, and even pets can be trained to perform various tasks for a particular intelligence agency. But here's a conspiracy that may surprise you: Some believe spy agencies can train sharks to 'attack' humans.
A controversial theory that garnered international attention suggested that shark attacks in Egypt were the work of the Israeli spy agency. The 2010 Sharm El Sheikh shark attacks, which injured Russian and Ukrainian tourists and resulted in the death of a German woman, were unprecedented. However, after the incident, the focus shifted, with some theorists blaming the attacks on the Mossad.
Conspiracy theorists speculated that Mossad used GPS tracking devices to direct sharks into Egyptian waters. Given the long-standing tensions between Egypt and Israel, this theory gained enough traction to keep it circulating.
Prior to the attacks, the two types of sharks involved—oceanic whitetips and mako sharks—were frequently seen, but human attacks were uncommon. In response to the attacks, the Egyptian authorities declared open season on sharks in the area. By the end of the season, both a mako and an oceanic whitetip were killed.
6. The Frilled Shark
Let’s travel back about 80 million years, when the frilled shark dominated the oceans. With its long, slender body, this shark lived deep beneath the surface; many believe it survived and can still be found today at almost half its original size. Nonetheless, I would still keep my distance from this creature.
When fully grown, the frilled shark has 25 rows of teeth, totaling almost 300 sharp teeth. It also has six gill slits on either side of its body, which help it create a sucking motion when it attacks its prey.
In July 2021, the Discovery Channel aired an episode called The Frilled Shark during Shark Week. In the episode, they captured a small frilled shark and studied this ancient creature. While the shark was generally calm when threatened, it did attempt to attack.
Encounters with frilled sharks are unlikely, as they live at great depths. These sharks prefer swimming at nearly 4,921 feet (1,500 meters). At those depths, you’d likely encounter the legendary Kraken. I think I’ll stick to the surface to avoid both creatures.
5. Sharks Avoid the Bermuda Triangle
The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil’s Triangle, is a notorious legend in the Atlantic Ocean. Located between Miami, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda, it has gained a reputation for being the site of many mysterious ship disappearances, often attributed to an unknown, otherworldly force. Some conspiracy theorists argue that the reason sharks avoid this area is further evidence that something sinister is lurking there.
This theory was popularized by a TikTok user named Friendly Neighborhood Dogdude, who suggested that sharks actively avoid the Bermuda Triangle. He claimed to have used a shark tracking app, which, according to him, revealed that sharks deliberately steer clear of the area. Many TikTok users took this as proof of the triangle’s existence and validity, strengthening the case for the Bermuda Triangle’s mysterious reputation.
Although the theory may seem plausible, scientists have a simpler explanation. Sharks are drawn to areas with abundant food sources, and it’s likely that the Bermuda Triangle doesn’t offer enough to attract them. Moreover, sharks are known to migrate frequently, and the duration of the TikTok user’s shark tracking isn’t enough to make definitive conclusions. Marine studies typically take years to yield conclusive data, not just a few days of observation.
4. Are Dolphins Superior to Sharks?
Many people are familiar with the idea that dolphins are superior to sharks, and in some ways, this holds true. Sharks tend to avoid dolphins whenever they can. Dolphins are equipped with both flexible and rigid body structures, which enable them to evade danger or launch attacks with greater ease. In contrast, sharks are relatively stiff, limiting their agility even though they strike with considerable force.
Let’s not overlook the power of a dolphin's nose. It serves as an effective battering ram when they need to defend themselves. In fact, some dolphins position themselves beneath a shark and shoot upwards with speed, driving their tough snout into the shark's vulnerable belly. Talk about a sneak attack!
While this might not exactly be a Shark Week conspiracy, perhaps dolphins deserve their own dedicated week on TV, don't you think?
3. 'Baby Shark' Frenzy
The undisputed champion shark is... 'Baby Shark!' After all the serious shark talk, we had to add a bit of humor. But did you know that even this catchy song has its own conspiracy theory behind it?
The theory suggests that the song was deliberately created to build a massive following. Families and kids around the globe eagerly sing along. With its various versions, the song could influence children to take certain actions—both good and bad. I’m not sure how solid this theory is, but I’ll leave it for you to decide.
2. Is There Anything Left to Discover?
As we approach the end of the list, you might wonder how Shark Week continues to produce fresh content after 34 years. Debuting in 1988, it shows no signs of slowing down. You could argue that scientific discoveries are constantly emerging, or perhaps it’s all a strategy for the network to keep its profitable streak going.
In any case, these YouTubers nailed it when they said, "We've seen sharks doing what sharks do best."
1. Megalodon: The Return of the Monster Shark?
Shark Week is typically known for its scientific and informative programming on the respected Discovery Channel. But when the special *Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives* aired in 2013, it put the network in a tough spot. The show misrepresented a fictional story as a real documentary, claiming that the long-extinct megalodon had somehow returned. In an era of rampant fake news, even trusted brands like Shark Week found themselves struggling to maintain credibility.
In the 2013 episode, Shark Week resurrected the megalodon, asserting that this ancient giant shark was still alive and wreaking havoc in the open oceans. The program included various videos, photos, and supposed personal accounts from scientists and witnesses, all fabricating evidence of the shark’s existence. As an educational program, many viewers felt Shark Week had failed, with public outrage serving as undeniable proof of its misstep.
In an attempt to quell the criticism, Shark Week had to include disclaimers stating that the program was fictional. Nevertheless, despite the negative response from fans, Shark Week 2013 still achieved remarkable TV ratings, making it one of the most-watched Shark Week specials, attracting nearly five million viewers.
