A new study has found some shark bites may be an act of “survival instincts” rather than a planned attack.

Scientists from Université PSL observed 74 shark bites in French Polynesia from 2009 to 2023 and concluded four were self-defence.

“These bites are simply a manifestation of survival instinct, and the responsibility for the incident needs to be reversed,” Dr Eric Clua, the first author of the study, said.

The Taronga Conservation Society of Australia found there were on average 20 shark incidents each year where people got injured over the past decade.

Scientists say self-defence bites occur as a response to human threat, like spear fishing or any attempts to grab the shark.

“We need to consider the not very intuitive idea that sharks are very cautious towards humans and are generally afraid of them,” Clua said.

Sharks may bite as well due to threats to competition and territory, motivation by predation, or even reflexes and clumsiness.

“Some species of coastal shark, such as the grey reef shark, are both particularly territorial and bold enough to come to contact with humans,” Clua said.

The best course of action to avoid being bitten may be to steer clear of any potentially aggressive movement or activity.

This includes any attempts to help stranded sharks.

”Do not interact physically with a shark, even if it appears harmless or is in distress,” Clua said.

“It may at any moment consider this to be an aggression and react accordingly.”