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U.S. leads world in shark attacks in 2006 mongabay.com February 13, 2007
Only 4 of the shark attacks in 2006 were fatal again proving the rarity of such attacks. "Falling coconuts kill 150 people worldwide each year, 15 times the number of fatalities attributable to sharks," said George Burgess, Director of International Shark Attack File.
Burgess says that despite larger numbers of people participating in ocean activities, shark attacks have declined in recent years due to over-fishing of sharks, often for their fins which are considered a delicacy in Asian. A study published in the October 2006 edition of Ecology Letters estimates that between 26 million and 73 million sharks are killed each year for their fins. The United States usually leads the world in shark attacks. In 2006, Florida was again the world shark attack capital with 23 attacks, but the state was well below the annual average of 33 between 2000 and 2003. Outside of Florida, U.S. attacks occurred in South Carolina (4 attacks), Hawaii (3), Oregon (3), California (2), New Jersey (1), North Carolina (1) and Texas (1). An American Peace Corps volunteer was fatally attacked in Tonga this year. "This was a nice dull year and we love dull years because it means there are fewer serious attacks and fewer victims," Burgess said. "It's really quite remarkable when you have only four people a year die in the mouth of a shark and puts in perspective how small shark attack is as a phenomenon." Related articles Up to 73 million sharks killed per year for their fins. Between 26 million and 73 million sharks are killed each year for their fins according to a new paper published in the October 2006 edition of Ecology Letters. The estimates are three times higher than those projected by the United Nations. Great Barrier Reef shark populations collapsing finds study. Coral reef shark populations are declining rapidly due to fishing according to research published in the December 5th issue of the journal Current Biology. The paper says that "no-take zones" -- areas where fishing is prohibited -- can be effective in protecting sharks but only when the no-take regulations are strictly enforced. This article used information from a Reuters report. Comments? News options
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