The great white lie

FILMMAKER WHO SWIMS WITH SHARKS SAYS WE'VE GOT IT ALL WRONG

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A GROUP of sharks is called a “shiver”, which says it all.

They really do have an image problem.

You could probably blame films like Jaws, which turns 50 this year, but their gruesome attacks on people can't be helping.

But according to wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory, we've got the sea predators all wrong.

"You only ever hear about a bad shark experience when someone is bitten or killed," he says.

"But every day around the world, millions and millions of people come into close contact with sharks, including great whites.

"Sharks are amazingly camouflaged and don't want anything to do with us."

But we've all seen what can happen when a shark gets too close to an unsuspecting holidaymaker.

They're killing machines, with rows of fearsome teeth that can tear away a chunk of flesh in seconds.

Apparently, it's all just a misunderstanding.

"We smell funny," Bertie insists. "We definitely taste funny.

"And in terms of strategy for them, we have a lot less blubber percentage compared to a seal, dolphin or whale.

"So they don't want to eat us. When people are attacked by sharks, it's down to a case of mistaken identity."