Our Price: AUD$23.95 (USD$)* ISBN: 978-1-921456-13-8 Subject: Non-Fiction Publication Date: February 2009

Synopsis
Nurse or Nemesis? examines the portrayal of sharks throughout history in various forms of media and popular culture, including literature, myth and fine art, to establish how views of sharks have affected and been formed to include relatively harmless species such as the Grey Nurse. The findings show an overwhelmingly negative perception of sharks whereby they have often been portrayed as a predator to humans and the embodiment of man's struggle with nature.

The general lack of knowledge throughout society pertaining to sharks has led to the depletion of the more placid species such as the Grey Nurse (Carcharias taurus). In addition, the worldwide increase in the use of beaches and ocean shorelines for recreational purposes has led to a rise in shark-human interactions. These factors allow the relatively rare issue of shark attacks to receive widespread media attention resulting in a distortion of people's perception to an all-inclusive generalisation of shark behaviour.

The negative perception of sharks plays a substantial role in how differing species are viewed, as the public rarely has a clear conception of species differentiation and does not recognise the differences in the behavioural qualities between shark species. This book will, in all hope, not only have a positive influence on the conservation of the Grey Nurse shark, but also help shift understanding towards a more thorough and compassionate perception of shark species in general.

"Nurse or Nemesis? is a much-needed book that will surely change public perceptions about Australian Grey Nurse
sharks and other animals. Sharks suffer from misleading representations by hyped-up public media, and
Marie-France Boissonneault should be congratulated for righting this wrong. I'm sure that many
other animals will benefit from the wide circulation of this important book."

Marc Bekoff, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals, Animals at Play: Rules of the Game,
and Wild Justice: The Moral Lives of Animals (with Jessica Pierce)

About The Author
Marie-France Boissonneault resides with her husband, two cats, and her dog in Quebec, Canada. She holds a PhD in Communications, a BSc (honours) degree in Marine Sciences, a BA in Psychology and Film Studies, and Diplomas respectively in Multimedia Design, Professional Photography, and Creative Arts.

From The Book
One of the main distinguishing features of the Grey Nurse shark is its protruding jagged teeth, which have been featured prominently in most depictions of this particular species, and have arguably contributed to its undeserved persecution.

Evidence that this species poses only remote danger to humans is often overshadowed by media portrayals (including photographic works and brochures for local aquariums) that accentuate and exploit the 'fierce' appearance of the Grey Nurse shark. These portrayals can reinforce the misperception that this shark is an intimidating and dangerous creature rather than a docile marine inhabitant.

Sharks have been grouped together as fear-inspiring creatures despite the reality that there is no one single all encompassing description of sharks, but rather over 370 different species with varying characteristics and behaviour.