"Four people on average are killed in unprovoked attacks a year, yet humans kill 100 million sharks annually, say marine biologists."
"Gruesome reports of attacks may raise fears that there is a sudden rise in the number of people being killed by sharks. But the evidence does not support this.
According to the International Shark Attack File, run by marine biologists at the Florida Museum of Natural History, there were 79 unprovoked shark attacks in 2010 (and six fatalities). This was the highest since 2000, when there were 80 unprovoked attacks. Between 2001 and 2010, an average of 4.3 people a year died as a result of shark attacks, with most attacks in North American waters.
The number of attacks has steadily grown over the past century but that reflects better reporting as well as the increasing number of people and the time they are spending in the sea."
Alok Jha reports for the Guardian August 17, 2011.
SEE ALSO:
"Wife Pays Tribute To Husband Killed in Seychelles Shark Attack" (Guardian)
"Seychelles Shark Attack: Ian Redmond Mauled To Death" (Huffington Post)
