Global shark attack maps & statistics
The fatal shark attack in Solana Beach today has topped the news as 5-8 miles of beaches were ordered closed up and down the Northern San Diego County coastline. The Los Angeles Times made a list of recent shark attacks in California and found that few are fatal. But looking at the list, I saw that we had nine attacks last year. I wanted to know how that stacked up against the rest of the world. To my surprise, I found that the United States has more unprovoked shark attacks than Australia.
Ichthyology at the Florida Museum of Natural History has a global map and statistics of unprovoked shark attacks. Between 1926 and 2007 there were 96 total shark attacks in California — only seven of them were fatal. Florida topped the U.S. list with 577 total attacks, 13 of which were fatal. Hawaii was just above California with 113, and 15 attacks were fatal.
From 1580-2007, here are the Top 5 regions that had the most attacks.
1. United States (without Hawaii)
2. Australia
3. Africa
4. Pacific Islands & Oceania
5. Asia
Are there ways to prevent a shark attack? National Geographic offers some tips on how to avoid a shark attack.
— Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel Deal Blogger
[Image: ISAF - International Shark Attack File]
4 Comments on “Global shark attack maps & statistics”
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April 27th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
The United States has more REPORTED attacks. I seriously doubt the US has more shark attacks than Australia.
May 28th, 2008 at 6:27 am
The way Mexico has gone on a killing spree after the recent shark attacks is not only a disgrace but unproductive.
Reminds me of the movie Jaws where the Mayor didn’t want to act to hastily, because it will affect tourism, but in this case, they are taking too extreme actions.
This just opens up more water for larger sharks to look for smaller prey to eat.
Seeing as all the smaller sharks are being killed, surfers look like a good meal.
Good going sh&t heads!!!
When humans off-balance the natural balance of the eco-system, we all suffer.
Maybe someone should look into why sharks were searching for food where they haven’t in years.
Maybe overfishing needs to be stopped.
Corey Mondello
Boston, Massachusetts
http://www.CoreyMondello.com
5-28-08
June 12th, 2008 at 11:49 am
sharks like people
January 4th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
i absolut. agree w/ corey M.While the shark attacks are awful we have to remember that we dont live in the water nor are we required to be there.That is there territory and going and killing them is sickening.can you live with the factt that we could songle handedly kill of an entire species of sea life out of fear.these mammals are endangered.we are in there homes where they live and hunt for food.it’s like going into the jungle w a hungry tiger and wondering why your being followed.we have over fished the water forcing ALL sea life into more dangerous places to look for food not just for us but for them as well.30 years ago this stuff wasnt nearly as common.why?we are making them despearate for food.i dont think tjhey enjoy going out of there comon hunting ground for food.It’s basic animal survival.they arent going to just float there and starve.we need to start caring about the world around us like corey said b4.when we mess with the natural order of things and our eco system EVERYTHING AND EVERYBODY suffers.We have to start taking care of eachother.We all live here.Take what we need when we need it.No more.No less.Greed is going to hurt allof us. and it scares me sometimes.