Global Shark Attacks Remain Low For Second Year Running
Whether it's luck, as a result of global warming, or something else, there has a been a second year of reduced shark bites in 2019 according to data released by the University of Florida's Shark Attack File.
Last years figure stands at 64, just two more higher than the 62 in 2018, which is almost 25% lower than the previous five year average of 82. These numbers are all unprovoked shark attacks.
So where was the shark bite capital of the world for 2019? That accolade goes to Florida, with 21 attacks. The US saw more attacks than anywhere else, with a total of 41, that's an increase of nine from 2018.
It almost seems that sharks were never out of the news last year, whether it was increases in numbers off Cape Cod or the shocking death of a young woman mauled to death by tiger sharks in front of her mum in the Bahamas.
This was just one of two fatal attacks reported, the other was in Florida. Sometimes it's hard to believe that there aren't more, but the fact remains that more more are killed every year by cows or bees.
Australia charted in second place with 11 attacks, the already mentioned Bahamas with two. The following all recorded single bites: The Canary Islands, the Caribbean Islands, Cuba, French Polynesia, Guam, Israel, Mexico, New Caledonia, and South Africa.
The latter was once a shark attack hot-spot, but great whites have even been reported to have moved on from this once mecca, some say because of the return of killer whales.
Who knows what 2020 will bring us, there will of course continue to be attacks and continue to be huge media interest in them. But at what cost to man or shark?
So, why do you think there are less attacks? Are people in the water more aware of the dangers? Is it because of dwindling shark populations? Or something else?
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By Dean Newman
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For decades, acclaimed underwater photographer Brian Skerry has braved ocean depths and the jaws of predatory giants to capture the most remarkable photographs of sharks around the world. In this collection of the best of those pictures, Skerry draws on his growing personal respect for these animals to share intimate stories of their impact.