MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Kaneohe Bay is known to be one of the largest breeding grounds for Hammerhead sharks in the world. During the months of May and June, Hammerheads give birth to their pups.
A female Hammerhead can give birth to 20 to 40 pups at once. After birth, the mother leaves her young and they must fend for themselves. Potentially, there could be hundreds of thousands of baby Hammerhead sharks swimming in the bay.
Although these baby sharks are not threatening to humans, their presence attracts other large sharks that prey on the newborn pups. Since May 19, 2014 there have been over 60 sightings of adult sharks looking for a baby Hammerhead meal in the waters surrounding Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
“We haven’t had this many shark sightings during these months before,” said Samuel Mench, the beach supervisor for the Marine Corps Base Hawaii Beach Guard. “We are used to seeing an increase during these months but what we are seeing this year isn’t just one or two every day. We are seeing sharks in packs swimming closer to the shoreline.”
Mench explained the importance of shark safety.
“We want people to know they are not here for you. If you’re in the water and see a shark near you, the best way to get yourself away from the shark is to stay calm. If you don’t act like their food, they wont think you’re their food. It’s in your best interest to not panic and keep your cool. If the shark wants you, he will get you. The idea is to make sure they know you’re not their food by acting calm and moving safely back to shore.”
Male Hammerhead sharks, in particular, are known to prey on pups. In desperate times, a Hammerhead may try to eat another adult Hammerhead.
Other sharks, including Tiger and reef sharks, have been sighted off the shores of the base.
“We have had some very close encounters with the sharks this year,” Mench continued. “There have been several stories of people being within an arm's distance of them. What one should also know, is there haven’t been any shark attacks in base waters during this period of increased activity.”
Once June ends, the shark population will begin to go back to normal with only one or two shark sightings throughout the rest of the year. It is recommended to visit the beach guard on duty before entering the water. For more information, call the Semper Fit Aquatics Department at 254-7655.