The International Shark Attack File, an annual worldwide study collated in the U.S., determined there were 18 unprovoked shark attacks in Australia in 2015, with 12 in NSW and one fatality.
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The school released its report on what might be behind the 98 attacks – a number which breaks the 2000 record of 88 attacks. Therefore, it is a realistic expectation for shark attacks – and all aquatic injuries – to increase.
The 98 unprovoked attacks surpassed by 10 the previous high recorded in 2000, he said.
The United States, with its abundant coastlines and ever-growing numbers of recreational water users had 59 unprovoked shark attacks reported past year. The rise reflects growing populations of both people and sharks, he said.
“The fact of the matter is we’re not going to stop shark bites on humans as long as we continue to put as many people in the water that we do”, he said.
Brevard County, which includes Cocoa Beach, had the most amount of shark attacks in the Sunshine State with 8, followed closely by neighboring Volusia County (Daytona Beach area) with 7.
Florida – in addition to being the Lightning Capital of the Western Hemisphere and the state most likely to be hit by a hurricane – has a longtime reputation as the Shark Attack Capital of the World.
“Provoked attacks” usually occur when a human initiates physical contact with a shark – for example, a diver bitten after grabbing a shark or an attack on a spearfisher or someone feeding sharks.
AP photo of first-responders helping a girl who was bitten by a shark on Oak Island.
It also noted that there were no attacks on scuba divers in 2015. North and SC had the next greatest, with eight apiece.
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It was Australia’s worst year for attacks in seven years, with a surfer from Japan killed off Ballina in New South Wales and a scallop diver dying after an attack in waters off Maria Island in Tasmania.
