Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" features might not focus on science as much as some marine biologists would like, but there's still plenty to be learned. For example, a documentary crew discovered that Great White sharks are attracted to death metal music because...of course they are.
The crew was in Australia shooting footage for a program artfully titled Bride of Jaws, which focused on the search for a massive Great White, adorably named "Joan of Shark." Unfortunately the crew wasn't able to get shot of the 16-foot, 3,000 pound shark they were looking for, but they did manage to attract two other Whites, one of which was 14 feet long (sounds big enough to us).
How did they do it? By blasting death metal music through underwater speakers. I mean, it makes perfect sense: Shouldn't a shark be attracted to the most brutal, bloody music possible?
Not exactly. The lyrical subject matter of death metal doesn't explain why the genre is ideal for attracting sharks. The science lies into how a shark interprets the sounds it hears. They aren't exactly audiophiles...all they can figure is that rapid, low-frequency noises must be a large fish or a seal thrashing, potentially injured and definitely delicious. Death metal combines a number of elements that provide similar stimuli: The low "death growls" of the vocalist, guitars that are typically tuned lower than higher, as well as the intense blastbeats of double-bass drums.
The use of music as a method of attracting Great Whites has actually picked up support from scientists in recent years. Traditionally, tour guides looking to attract the big fish have used chum...a bloody mix of fish guts that's sure to attract a hungry White. Some question that method however because it alters the sharks' natural behavior, and sharks may begin to associate humans with food. You see where that could lead.
Although the logic behind the genre choice makes sense, prickly metal fans will note that the researchers in the video don't actually opt for true death metal, playing Darkest Hour...metalcore, if anything. Genre labels aside, it worked.
Our obvious choice for shark-luring? Dethklok's "Go Into The Water." After all...it's meant for fish only.
