Florida Remains World's Shark Attack Capital
(CBS) Gainesville, FL Florida recorded 23 shark bites in 2006, continuing its status as the world's shark attack capital.
A University of Florida study says there were 19 cases last year. The annual average was 33 between 2000 and 2003, according to George Burgess, director of the International Shark Attack File at the university?s Florida Museum of Natural History.
Shark bites in Volusia County increased from nine in 2005 to 12 in 2006. In Brevard County there were three attacks, two each in Manatee and St. Lucie and one each in Collier, Monroe, Indian River and Palm Beach.
"Within Florida, Volusia County and particularly New Smyrna Beach is the hot spot," Burgess said in a statement. "This area on a square mile basis has more attacks than anyplace else in the world."
Many times they are referred to as shark attacks, but experts say it?s often probably a case of mistaken identity. A shark sees a person floundering around on the surface, or kicking while on a surfboard and thinks it is a fish in distress
