Shark attack types and stats

Attacks in the USA YEAR Total attacks Fatal Non-fatal 1999 37 2000 53 2000 53 1 52 2001 59 3 47 2002 2003 40 39 2004 30 2 28 2005 2006 2007 50 2008 41 2009

Attacks in other countries Worldwide there are probably 70-100 shark attacks annually resulting in about 5-15 deaths. We say "probably" because not all shark attacks are reported; our information from Third World countries is especially poor.

Why not report it Bad publicity, therefore less tourism to areas No agency set up to control or count these. Don’t know shark types in the area.

Types of attacks There are three major kinds of unprovoked shark attacks. - Hit and run - Bump and bite - Sneak

Hit and run The most common type of attack Occur in the surf zone with swimmers and surfers the normal targets. Are cases of mistaken identity that occur under conditions of poor water visibility and a harsh physical environment (breaking surf and strong wash/current conditions). Usually get bit below the knee. Shark realizes it is a foreign object or is too big and swims away.

"Bump and bite" attacks and "sneak" attacks Result in greater injuries and most fatalities. "Bump and bite" attacks are characterized by the shark initially circling and often bumping the victim prior to the actual attack. "Sneak" attacks differ in having the strike occur without warning. In these cases repeated attacks are not uncommon and multiple or sustained bites are normal.

Injuries during these attack Injuries to "hit and run" victims are usually confined to relatively small lacerations, often on the leg below the knee, and are seldom life-threatening. Injuries incurred during “bump and bite” and “sneak” attacks are usually quite severe, frequently resulting in death.

So who is attacking Three species, however, have been repetitively implicated as the primary attackers of man: the great white shark, tiger shark and bull shark In Florida the major culprit is the black tip reef shark.