Ah yes. Summer fun, a time for ice-cold popsicles and time at the beach. But as many of you will travel away from this landlocked state and visit some kind of ocean, consider that fact that the ocean is not necessarily your territory. The ocean is home to many deadly creatures, which are able and willing to challenge humans. This article is not meant to scare you or make you afraid of the water forever, it is simply to remind you of the fact that the ocean is a foreign territory for the human species, so remember to show respect for these mysterious creatures that many of us know nothing about.

Last year, 98 people were attacked by sharks, which was a record high for the number of people attacked in one year. And although surfers are the main attraction for sharks, making up about 50 percent of attacks, swimmers and boogie boarders aren’t necessarily off the hook either. Over the past few years the number of unprovoked shark attacks and fatalities have gone up, possibly because there have been a rise in the number of sharks over the past few years as well. More regulations have been placed on shark fishing and laws such as the clean water act have helped decrease pollution in some areas. The combinations of acts that are meant to help preserve the environment have helped the shark population increase over the last few years.

This article was not meant to scare you, for shark attacks are still extremely unlikely. But should anything be done about sharks to ensure that a lower number of people are attacked every year? Should we be polluting the water or deregulating shark fishing? The answer should be, no, nothing. No nets should be put up, no sharks should be hunted, no water should be tarnished; nothing should be done. They are predators. We are prey. Such is life. If one cannot accept that fact, then they should stay on land.