Cookiecutter sharks, measuring 15-20 cm in length, made headlines when they attacked and deflated a catamaran off the coast of Cairns in the Coral Sea. The incident occurred during a round-the-world expedition, leaving the sailors in shock. The hull of the catamaran was damaged and three people had to be rescued. Marine biologists from James Cook University confirmed that it was likely a case of mistaken identity. These small sharks, also known as “cookiecutters,” spend their time in the deep sea, hunting for their prey from dusk to dawn. They have limited vision and tend to travel in schools.

Professor Jodie Rummer, a marine biologist at James Cook University, explained the reason behind the attack. She suggested that the sharks mistook the catamaran for a large carcass. It is believed that these sharks attach themselves to big animals, like whales or dolphins, and cut off biscuit-sized chunks of flesh. The cookiecutter sharks are equipped with sharp teeth, have a glowing appearance, and resemble a pencil. They are actually parasites.

Daryl McPhee, an associate professor of environmental science at Bond University, added that there have been no records of cookiecutter sharks killing humans. However, there have been instances of them attacking and damaging a nuclear submarine, exposing its electrical cables and rubber sonar domes. In 2017, a seven-year-old boy was bitten on his leg by a cookiecutter shark on Magnetic Island.

Marine biologists explained that cookiecutter sharks get their name due to their characteristic feeding behavior. They attach themselves to a large animal, like a whale or a dolphin, and cut off biscuit-sized chunks of flesh. The attack on the catamaran was likely a result of the sharks mistaking it for a large carcass. Although these sharks pose no threat to humans, their unique feeding habits and appearance continue to fascinate scientists and marine enthusiasts alike.