| Shark population fall probed in Mysteries of the Shark Coast |
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By Paul Eccleston The Telegraph August 1, 2008 Even for someone whose name is synonymous with the oceans, Celine Cousteau had never swum with so many sharks. The tropical waters of the Coral Sea beyond the Barrier Reef in north-eastern Australia are a haven for different species including tiger, grey reef and the white tip which has been responsible for more attacks on people than all the other species combined. "I am not a shark expert but fortunately I was surrounded by people who are. When you are dangling in the water and there are a few dozen reef sharks swimming around it can be quite intimidating," said Celine grand-daughter of the celebrated pioneering ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau. "We are not born with our fear of sharks, it is something we develop but you have to understand that a shark is probably looking for food and you have to learn the signals they give off - which one is aggressive and which isn't." Celine, 35, had to pick up the signals quickly as she worked with a small team including a marine biologist, a filmmaker and a conservationist looking at the dramatic collapse in shark numbers.
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