1. Shark attack types and stats

2. 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

3. Attacks in other countries
Worldwide there are probably 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.

4. Why not report it Bad publicity, therefore less tourism to areas
No agency set up to control or count these.
People aren’t sure about the type of shark in the area. Uneducated.

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

6. 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.

7. "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.

8. 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.

9. 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.