When Mick Fanning's shark attack video became viral last week, the Internet exploded with praises for the brave surfer and his miraculous escape from what presumably was a Great White shark.
The same clip also seemed to spark fear in those who frequent the beach. Did it urge people to hunt down and kill these powerful animals as well?
Though Sir Richard Branson called Fanning and fellow surfer Julian Wilson (who came to the attacked athlete's aid at the time) "true role models" for what happened, he also feared that people might start hunting down sharks as retribution.
"The coverage of this highly unusual event should not be used as an excuse to mount further campaigns to kill even more sharks," The Guardian quoted the founder of the Virgin Group as saying about Mick Fanning's shark attack video.
Instead of killing these sea predators or using them for shark's fin soup, more sanctuaries should be built for them to thrive in. The Federated States of Micronesia built a 1.1 million square mile shark sanctuary in the western Pacific Ocean earlier this year.
"Shark attacks on humans are extremely rare," he added. "I have swum with many species of sharks on many occasions, including tiger sharks and great white sharks. I have always found it a remarkable, peaceful experience, and I wholeheartedly believe they have no interest in humans as food."
In fact, Branson added that should sharks be totally removed from the reef ecosystem, it would break the natural food chain.
"Fewer sharks in the ocean results in less healthy coral, and therefore fewer fish, which damages food security, hurts the health of the ocean and reduces tourism dollars, too," he continued.
Meanwhile, Australian surfer Mick Fanning didn't let the trauma stop him from pursuing his passion. The three-time world champion was spotted back out in the sea just a mere week after the attack.
Watch Mick Fanning's shark attack video here.
