This post will be full of facts, resources and comparisments. The shark problem is an education and reputation problem. But it is important to save them and have this debate.
https://eu.oceana.org/en/importance-sharks
https://youtu.be/UVuHuifQL8Q
Oh yes, they do! They keep balance in our oceans. They are trying their best to keep our oceans clean and healthy. But I can extend this a little further: our oceans are our most important oxygen source. But we humans thank sharks by killing about 70m sharks each year. I should mention these are estimations, some countries don't provide statistics. But it's at least 38m per year, verified. So please reconsider when you want to order shark fin soup.
https://blog.conservation.org/2013/08/5-things-you-didnt-know-sharks-do-for-you/
But why are we still so afraid of them? Perception and media. Jaws was a horrible movie. But this is also the reason I won't link to Shark Week material. They also dramatized a lot. And that Submarine documentary was almost completely fake.
We actually can interact with sharks quite safely. Never underestimate that they are apex predators but they often have no reason to attack us. If we're laying upon a surfboard the chances of an attack increase. This is because they might mistake us for natural prey.
Another fun fact: shark meat is often poisonous to us.
https://www.sharksider.com/shark-meat-delicacy-dangerous
https://youtu.be/RT_HBQWxgo0
I hope that it is already clear that we shouldn't be categorizing sharks as man-eaters. We must acknowledge that they are apex predators and they deserve our respect. But why does media often portray them as monsters? Because of interest: dramatic footage sells. You know how cage diving and media footage of sharks is filmed?
They abuse these animals: they throw bloody chunks of meat in the ocean, pulling food away for hours and start poking them with sticks and stuff to make them extra aggressive. I am not looking for sensation, I want to meet sharks in natural circumstances. They are awesome animals, not an circus attraction.
Luckily we did quite some studies and we learned a lot about interacting with sharks.
They are curious but often also shy.
It's typical that they first investigate before approaching. They sense a lot of things. If you're afraid when a shark approaches:make yourself big and keep yourself focussed on the shark. If it comes too near for your taste you can grab it at the gills. This works better than punching on the nose and is also safer.
But I can continue about this, but then I need to explain about Ampullae of Lorenzini: sharks are highly sensitive for electric fields. That's why they also are attracted by things like cameras.
But: if you will start to rub the snout of a shark they will be calm and enjoying it. Just like flipping them or twisting the fins. It's safer to swim with sharks in clear water.
https://youtu.be/u1hOCR7DI5k
https://youtu.be/NyDEbvsxiBA
So, when you're into infosec you should know about threat modeling. Are sharks a threat to humans? Often not. Attacks occur rarely but most people survive. Attacks often happen by mistakes. Vending machines kill more people than sharks. But: there are about 6 fatal attacks each year and those even can be prevented or reduced. Here takes science it's role: we studied the eyes of a lot of sharks. There are not many sharks who sometimes attack humans. Attacks may occur with white, oceanic white/blacktip, bull and tiger sharks. Here you must realize that there are about 480 shark species. So how to repel sharks as a human?
See this talk: striped surfboard and wetsuit.
When diving there is a "incognito" wetsuit.
You can be creative yourself for this effect.
https://youtu.be/vc0d4_uWeR8