US ranks # 1 in worldwide Shark Attacks 2004

[Greatwhite70]

Sixty-one shark attacks were reported worldwide last year, slightly higher than the 57 counted in 2003, but lower than in the three previous years when the total ranged from 63 to 78.

Australia had 12, second to the United States with 30, according to the annual tally from the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Brazil and South Africa each recorded five shark attacks, and Reunion Island, a French isle in the Indian Ocean, had three.

The Bahamas, Cuba, Egypt, Fiji, New Zealand, and Venezuela had one each.

Seven of last year's attacks were fatal - including two in Australia and the US, and one each in Brazil, Egypt and South Africa.

That was up from four fatalities in 2003, but in line with totals over the last decade, which ranged from three to 11.

Researchers, housed on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, count only attacks they consider unprovoked.

They exclude those that occur when people deliberately try to touch sharks in settings such as aquariums and fishing nets.

International Shark Attack File director, George Burgess, said the number of shark attacks rose steadily over the past century as the human population grew and aquatic recreation became more popular.

Swimmers and waders are attacked most often, followed by surfers.

Mr Burgess added human fatalities from shark attacks had dropped steadily over the past century, with improved medical treatment of trauma victims and a rise in the number of lifeguards and safety measures on the beaches.

Scientists expect shark bites eventually will become less common because shark populations have declined due to overfishing and loss of habitat.

"There are less of these animals, particularly the big ones," Mr Burgess said.

"The real story as far as scientists are concerned, is the decline of sharks....we're less concerned about shark bites man than man bites sharks."

Shark attacks occur most often in North American waters, and Florida normally has more than any other state or country because its long coastlines, dense population and year-round swimming weather often bring sharks and people together.

Florida had only 12 shark attacks last year, compared with 30 a year earlier and down from an average of 33.5 in the previous four years.

Researchers attributed the drop in Florida to the unusually vicious hurricane season. Four hurricanes and a tropical storm hit Florida last year.

[necrophobic]

When you consider the amount of people that are killed by other people each year then the number killed by Great Whites is negligible.
Would you agree?

[Greatwhite70]

The numbers while not trying to be inhumane are miniscule. If you look at say the US as it ranks #1 for attacks, which do include other species.
The Great Whites part is still low.
Take 2001 here in the USA 29,573 Gun Deaths took place.
2001 saw 50 Shark attacks with 3 fatal attacks.

An average of 4.5 million dog bites take place here with an average of 20 deaths due to being bitten by mans best friend.

Some stats for thought!