Shark attacks around world fell by about one-quarter in 2018
Source: Australian Associated Press
Shark attacks around world fell by about one-quarter in 2018
Australian Associated Press
Wed 30 Jan 2019 23.34 GMT
The number of shark attacks around the world fell by about one-quarter last year, with the US and Australia reporting the highest number of them.
There were four fatalities worldwide, in line with the long-term average of six, according to the annual release of the Florida-based International Shark Attack File.
The US had the most shark attacks on humans in 2018, with 32 confirmed cases and one fatality. This was markedly lower than the 53 attacks there in 2017. Half of the 2018 attacks took place in Florida.
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Gavin Naylor, the director of the Florida Museum of Natural History’s shark research program, said the decline in attacks was unusual. “Statistically, this is an anomaly,” he said. “It begs the question of whether we’re seeing fewer bites because there are fewer sharks – that would be the ‘glass half-empty’ interpretation.
“Or it could be that the general public is heeding the advice of beach safety officials. My hope is that the lower numbers are a consequence of people becoming more aware and accepting of the fact that they’re sharing the ocean with these animals.”
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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/31/shark-attacks-around-world-fell-by-about-one-quarter-in-2018