Hmm, Great White Shark in our river here (Columbia River)

[Maverick]

I don't know whats going on but to hear of a Great White coming up the Columbia River is not normal, we do get salmon sharks from time to time but not that big nor take a seal that big.

 

[Rob Painless]

Cool. When life hands you sharks.....make shark steaks. You're right though. It is a bit odd to see one there.

 

[Brent S]

Fried shark tail bites.... And cold beer n fries....

 

[jontte]

didn't know they went into a river 'cause it's sweet water or atleast brackish...
bull sharks are a different game alltogether.

 

[Undertaker]

didn't know they went into a river 'cause it's sweet water or atleast brackish...
bull sharks are a different game alltogether.

That was about to be my question..Bull sharks will enter fresh water I know but never heard of a White shark doing it....I know Whites have been seen at the mouth of freshwater rivers. Trouble is sharks require a certain about of salinity in their system and without it they will literally explode!

 

[jontte]

or something has changed the rules..

 

[Undertaker]

or something has changed the rules..

Well thats possible...I mean at look at the current alligators and crocodiles we have today they have managed to adapt since the Age of the Dinosaurs so its not entirely out of the question. But White Sharks are mostly open temperate water sharks but their favorite food is seals so anywhere there are a large population of seals theres bound to be a White Shark in the area. Bull Sharks are large and dangerous and this makes them even more so because they enter fresh water.

Heres a portion of the article that goes along with the video:

Biologists from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife told KGW that itmay very well be a great white shark , but it could also be a salmon shark. A spokesperson for the department told the news station that the brownish coloration on the fins means it's likely the latter.

http://www.oregonlive.com/articles/19685224/watch_shark_attacks_a_seal_on_columbia_river.amp

I could not tell the color of the tail but they are saying more likely a Salmon Shark.....Both the White and Salmon can be found off the Oregon coast. Either way I would not have wanted to be that seal!

Here is a map of shark attacks off the Oregon coast since 1974:
http://projects.oregonlive.com/shark-attacks/index.php

 

[user 6493]

I doubt that it was a White,,,a Bull Shark is more probable

 

[Undertaker]

I doubt that it was a White,,,a Bull Shark is more probable

I don't think it was either....But with Whites in the area you could not rule it out......Bull Shark, maybe, thats the part that makes the Bull so deadly as it feeds on other larger prey though that seal would have been no match for a White or Bull Shark. Bulls are extremely aggressive and territorial and will eat just about anything......They don't get as large as the White though only to about 13 feet. And they do fall prey to White Sharks and Tiger Sharks. They also depending on what body of water they are in also fall prey to alligators and crocodiles.....One of their main haunts is along the Mississippi River in the US....No, knowing what I do about Bulls I would rule the Bull Shark out as the attacker.

 

[user 6493]

the video was not very good,it was a shark that is certain

 

[Undertaker]

the video was not very good,it was a shark that is certain

Your right it was not and yes it definitely was a shark.

 

[Brent S]

Shark attacks are on the rise worldwide, and they may be expanding their hunting grounds, for one simple reason. We are overfishing the oceans. There isn't as much food available so they come in closer to shore looking, which of course puts them in the vicinity of rivers. Hunger is a great motivator to make animals do new things, including people.

 

[Undertaker]

Shark attacks are on the rise worldwide, and they may be expanding their hunting grounds, for one simple reason. We are overfishing the oceans. There isn't as much food available so they come in closer to shore looking, which of course puts them in the vicinity of rivers. Hunger is a great motivator to make animals do new things, including people.

Agreed, but mating could also cause a rise in this type behavior....For instance White Sharks are loners and are rarely seen together unless mating. For the White Shark moving close to shore is almost a necessity at times since its main diet is seals. We are not on any menu a shark may have and I think in most cases its a case of mistaken identity but once blood hits the water all bets are off. And for what its worth these animals are only doing what comes natural they are doing what nature intended them to do....Man just happens to encroach on the territory of the shark during recreational activities and ends up on the menu.

The movie "Jaws"placed an enigma on the White Shark it did not deserve and it has stuck with it....Anyone ever wonder why they are called White Sharks when they are not actually white at all? Well, "white" in Latin means "wide". Due to recent protection laws especially in California and South Africa the White Shark population is back on the rise. Now to some people this is not a good thing but the White Shark is an Apex predator the worlds oceans needs this species. We all enjoy nice romps in the oceans or lakes but you have more of a chance of being struck by lightening than being attacked by a shark....

Scientists are working hard to study sharks especially the White. Tag and release operations are ongoing so that they can get a feel for the migratory habits of these huge animals. And we think todays White Shark is huge its prehistoric ancestor C Megladon was a monster, fossil teeth of this shark have been found up to 12 inches long!

Anything man does not understand or cannot control his natural instinct is to destroy it! These animals and others are here for a reason and we just happen to be in the way. Problem is we don't have enough sense or know enough about these creatures to make informed decisions.

Sorry for the rant.

 

[user 6493]

sharks alligators and crocs,,,,the best way to not be attacked by one is to stay the hell out of their territory
,,,,,,,,,

 

[Undertaker]

sharks alligators and crocs,,,,the best way to not be attacked by one is to stay the hell out of their territory
,,,,,,,,,

Very true...I agree. But we love our water sports, swimming, surfing and so on......Lets look at it this way....Everyday you go out and get in your car never thinking that you may get killed backing out of the driveway....Same way with being in the water you go in never thinking of shark attack but then it happens. Sharks have been around since the Age of the Dinosaurs to some they are mindless eating machines but to others there is something to be learned from them. But anyway I digress let some one else add something here.

 

[Maverick]

I doubt that it was a White,,,a Bull Shark is more probable

Blues, Salmon and Great Whites are at the mouth of the Columbia river I never heard of a Bull at the mouth or in the river here, Whites are generally spotted and Oregon already had two swimmers attacked by the Whites off the coast, Salmon sharks are frequently spotted in the river further up here but not take large seals. When I go Sturgeon fishing we may times will see a Salmon shark. The university here is saying it's more likely a White since the salinity is still very high in the area of the sighting. The Columbia River Bar just west of Astoria is considered one of the most dangerous waters in the world thus it has the name 'Graveyard of the Pacific' Only the best of the best Government pilots are allowed to pilot ships regardless of flag through the Bar, so Great Whites frequent the area around the Bar.

 

[Undertaker]

Blues, Salmon and Great Whites are at the mouth of the Columbia river I never heard of a Bull at the mouth or in the river here, Whites are generally spotted and Oregon already had two swimmers attacked by the Whites off the coast, Salmon sharks are frequently spotted in the river further up here but not take large seals. When I go Sturgeon fishing we may times will see a Salmon shark. The university here is saying it's more likely a White since the salinity is still very high in the area of the sighting. The Columbia River Bar just west of Astoria is considered one of the most dangerous waters in the world thus it has the name 'Graveyard of the Pacific' Only the best of the best Government pilots are allowed to pilot ships regardless of flag through the Bar, so Great Whites frequent the area around the Bar.

The university here is saying it's more likely a White since the salinity is still very high in the area of the sighting.

Then that would explain it.....Good post man.

 

[user 6493]

Very true...I agree. But we love our water sports, swimming, surfing and so on......Lets look at it this way....Everyday you go out and get in your car never thinking that you may get killed backing out of the driveway....Same way with being in the water you go in never thinking of shark attack but then it happens. Sharks have been around since the Age of the Dinosaurs to some they are mindless eating machines but to others there is something to be learned from them. But anyway I digress let some one else add something here.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhh yeah we love our water sports,,,,,Jacksonville Florida early 80s,,,I used to go to Jax Beach all the time until I found the story about the 14 ft world record Hammerhead Shark caught off the Jacksonville Beach Pier less than 300 yards from where we would go swimming,,,,,I never went in the ocean again,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Undertaker]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhh yeah we love our water sports,,,,,Jacksonville Florida early 80s,,,I used to go to Jax Beach all the time until I found the story about the 14 ft world record Hammerhead Shark caught off the Jacksonville Beach Pier less than 300 yards from where we would go swimming,,,,,I never went in the ocean again,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

If memory serves me correctly Hammerheads will and do haunt shallow waters around swimmers....If I recall the International Shark Attack File based in Florida I think says the Hammerhead is not an apparent on site attack man eater or there would be more fatalities from them than what they are. Since 1580 to the present the ISF has 17 attacks recorded by Hammerheads and none were fatal. Compare that to the White Shark where there have been 234 and 80 of those were fatal. The Bull has 73 and 27 of those were fatal.

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/isaf/contributing-factors/species-implicated-attacks/

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/isaf/worldwide-summary/

 

[user 6493]

If memory serves me correctly Hammerheads will and do haunt shallow waters around swimmers....If I recall the International Shark Attack File based in Florida I think says the Hammerhead is not an apparent on site attack man eater or there would be more fatalities from them than what they are. Since 1580 to the present the ISF has 17 attacks recorded by Hammerheads and none were fatal. Compare that to the White Shark where there have been 234 and 80 of those were fatal. The Bull has 73 and 27 of those were fatal.

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/isaf/contributing-factors/species-implicated-attacks/

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/isaf/worldwide-summary/

first they are bigger than me,,,,second they have more teeth than me.............lol,,,,,I stay out of the water

 

[Brent S]

Undertaker is right on here. Sharks don't naturally want to eat people. We aren't there natural food choice, and probably taste like crap to them from all the crap we eat. I'm sure 90% of attacks on people are either mistaken identity or desperation from hunger. I grew up surfing almost daily and saw sharks close often, but am sure there were many more I didn't see. I even got bumped a few times, which is where they bump you with their nose to see what you are and if you would taste good. I didn't really worry too much as even when I was a kid I realized driving in a car was way more dangerous. Even though Jaws was one of my favorite movies of all time, it really gave sharks an undeserved reputation.

 

[user 6493]

Undertaker is right on here. Sharks don't naturally want to eat people. We aren't there natural food choice, and probably taste like crap to them from all the crap we eat. I'm sure 90% of attacks on people are either mistaken identity or desperation from hunger. I grew up surfing almost daily and saw sharks close often, but am sure there were many more I didn't see. I even got bumped a few times, which is where they bump you with their nose to see what you are and if you would taste good. I didn't really worry too much as even when I was a kid I realized driving in a car was way more dangerous. Even though Jaws was one of my favorite movies of all time, it really gave sharks an undeserved reputation.

you might want to try convincing those that have been bitten or killed by a shark that little piece,,,,,I just don't like the idea of maybe being on the MENU........................

 

[Brent S]

you might want to try convincing those that have been bitten or killed by a shark that little piece,,,,,I just don't like the idea of maybe being on the MENU........................

I've flown small planes over the beach on the east coast of Florida. When you look down at all the swimmers, and then see that all around them there are sharks really close. Yet shark attacks are still pretty rare. Luckily we really aren't on their normal menu. Just don't be stupid and swim with shiny jewelry that resembles the flash of light from fish scales.

 

[user 6493]

I've flown small planes over the beach on the east coast of Florida. When you look down at all the swimmers, and then see that all around them there are sharks really close. Yet shark attacks are still pretty rare. Luckily we really aren't on their normal menu. Just don't be stupid and swim with shiny jewelry that resembles the flash of light from fish scales.

I have heard the idea that most shark attacks are a case of mistaken identity but for me I will stick to fresh water and areas that do not have gators to contend with...............