Are there sharks in Turkey?
What sharks are there in Turkey and are they dangerous for people?
When choosing Turkey for a vacation , tourists count not only on comfortable conditions, but also on maximum safety. Most of all, vacationers are afraid of meeting predators while swimming. Therefore, before the trip, there is a justified interest: are there sharks in Turkey? Yes, there is, but there is no reason to panic.
Sharks in the Black Sea
The Black Sea, which washes northern Turkey, is home to sharks called “katranas” and “catfishes”. These specimens are small in size, no more than 1 or 2 meters in length. They feed on fish and prefer to be at depths of more than 10 meters. Only diving enthusiasts can see them.
Mediterranean predators
The shores of such famous Turkish resorts as Antalya, Alanya, Belek, Bodrum and Marmaris are washed by waters that lead in the number of large fish. The Mediterranean Sea is home to more than 45 species of sharks, including:
- large white;
- gray;
- brindle;
- blunt-nosed;
- sandy;
- bullish;
- blackmouth;
- mako and hammerhead sharks;
- big-nosed;
- blue;
- felines and others.
The most dangerous are white, bull, and tiger sharks. Their teeth are ideal for tearing apart prey.
The Turkish authorities are doing their best to minimize the risk of vacationers coming into contact with predators. On the way to the shore there are nets that do not allow large fish to approach the shallow water.
Inhabitants of the Aegean Sea
This body of water is part of the Mediterranean, but there are fewer predators in it. At the depths live small sharks with jaws that only provide capture of the prey. Therefore, injuries from attacks by these predators are not so dangerous.
Safety of the Sea of Marmara
This body of water differs from other seas in size and location. It is located inside Turkey and is the smallest on the planet. Large predators are rare in its waters and are not constantly found.
How to Avoid an Attack
Sharks do not feed on people and do not approach shallow beaches. But tourists in Turkey can accidentally provoke aggression by swimming to dangerous depths. To avoid being bitten, here are some helpful tips and precautions to take into account. Not recommended:
- swim in the presence of wounds and during menstruation;
- swim up to fishing nets and ships;
- wear bright clothes and jewelry;
- move away from the coast;
- approach the fish that predators feed on;
- swim at night.
If the meeting could not be avoided, there is no need to panic and make sudden movements. Without feeling a threat from a person, the fish will move to a safe distance on its own.
Attention!
In the event of a shark attack, you must actively fight back, trying to injure its gills and eyes.
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