Sydney, Australia - One reason so many people are afraid to swim in the ocean is their fear of being attacked by a shark. Scientists now want to change the way we talk about such rare incidents.

Instead of calling these encounters "shark attacks", researchers would prefer the usage of terms such as "negative encounters", "interactions" or even "bites", News.com.au reported.

The aim is to improve the animal's image, as sharks are currently perceived as "ravenous, mindless man-eating monsters", researcher Leonardo Guida explained to Sydney Morning Herald.

Especially when reporting about those rare incidents of sharks coming in contact with humans, words can be incredibly powerful, he said. Alarmist statements made by politicians or the media can heighten public fears immensely. That's problematic, since sharks are not out to attack humans.

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"Sharks don't have hands so, if they want to explore something, they mouth it," Macquarie University biology professor Nathan Hart said. "Very rarely are humans consumed by sharks."

Authorities of two Australian states have already indicated their intention to implement the scientists' proposal at a symposium.