The “lunar effect” is an unproven correlation between specific stages of the lunar cycle and the behavior and physiological changes of living things on Earth, including humans. We know that gravitational interactions change the way animals and plants sleep, move, and grow, but the exact way this happens remains a mystery. On the Full Moon, shells close, corals are born, zooplankton dive to greater depths, seabirds stay ashore and lions hunt less.
Other phenomena are associated with the moonlight, others with the tides, but not all are explained. Marine life seems to be most affected and sharks are no exception as 50 years of data show that most attacks on humans are recorded when the moon is full.
It is not a matter of more light at night for sharks to see. Most attacks are recorded during the day. Although there is no tangible evidence that sharks prefer to attack during brighter light (such as the full moon), these results are the first global estimate of shark attacks relative to the Moon phase and require further investigation.
We must make it clear, however, that while they sound scary, shark attacks on humans are very rare. Sharks do not prefer us as prey but sometimes they confuse us with it. Further research can further reduce the risk of attacks, in combination with measures such as swimming in groups and avoiding swimming at dawn or dusk.
The research was published in Frontiers in Marine Science.
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