Subsea Cables: Debunking the Shark Myth and Understanding Real Threats

The widespread belief that sharks frequently damage underwater fiber-optic cables is largely a myth. While sharks occasionally interact with cables, actual bites causing damage are rare and typically require artificial inducement, such as wrapping the cable in bait.

The primary threats to subsea cables are not animals but rather human activities, such as fishing trawlers and ship anchors.

The Backbone of Global Communication

Subsea cables are crucial infrastructure, carrying nearly all intercontinental digital traffic. The maintenance and installation of the approximately 600 existing subsea cables are managed by thousands of offshore workers, crew members, and engineers globally. This human effort ensures continuous global communication.

Historical Context: The TAT-8 Era

Historically, the myth gained prominence with the development of TAT-8, the first transoceanic fiber-optic cable across the Atlantic. Launched on December 14, 1988, by AT&T, British Telecom, and France Telecom, TAT-8 was groundbreaking for using optical fibers to transmit traffic between Europe and the United States.

Fiber-optic transmission, which converts voices into pulses of light, was initially developed for telephone calls, predating widespread internet use. Isaac Asimov noted the significance of TAT-8 at its launch, highlighting it as a major advancement in global communication.