On June 8, 2023, a shark attacked a Russian who was swimming at a public beach in Hurghada. Nobody just had time to help the guy – it took less than a minute for the predatory fish to kill its prey.
This is not the first precedent: in 2022, two Austrian and Romanian tourists died of shark teeth in Egypt. It is not surprising that people have started to wonder: is a repeat of the tragedy on the Black Sea coast possible?
Are there sharks in the Black Sea?
Our sea has its own predators – katran and catshark. The first weighs 15 kilograms, the second – even less – only two kilograms. Unsurprisingly, the two fish are terribly afraid of people and move away as soon as they notice a person in the water: all sharks feed on animals several times smaller than themselves.
True, some katrans have become braver – they are fed by divers and fishermen for fun. However, these fearless individuals won’t attack anyone in an attempt to get free giblets – unless they turn around in hopes of a treat.
Can sharks swim in the Black Sea and kill a person?
Technically, it’s easy. Sharks dangerous to humans live in the Mediterranean Sea, and it is connected by straits and the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea. Predatory fish can travel long distances: for example, a very aggressive macao shark can accelerate underwater up to 74 km/h. In other words, if she suddenly enters the Sea of Marmara, she will sail a little over 10 hours to Anapa.
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Nevertheless, tourists vacationing on the Black Sea coast may not be afraid of dangerous fish – large sharks simply cannot survive it.
For what? First, the Black Sea is too cold for them – even when the water warms up to its maximum in the summer. Secondly, the Black Sea is not salty enough: one liter of water contains 18 grams of salt, while in the Mediterranean – 38. Such a difference can be fatal for fish.
Third, there is little oxygen in the Black Sea – it contains a lot more hydrogen sulphide, which makes it unsuitable for large predators that need a lot of O2. It is the dolphins that breathe atmospheric air, floating on the surface. Sharks don’t do that – they get oxygen through their gills.
So do not be afraid of sharks if you are on vacation in Sochi – even if you meet a katran and scare him so much that he will attack, you will get away with a finger slap.
Read also: Alone among the sharks: the story of a 13-year-old girl, the only survivor of a plane crash
Source: The Voice Mag
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
