Friday, July 30, 2010

Shark photo alleged to be a fake


The shark in this (allegedly fake) photo is said to have been taken from video footage found at Charles Maxwell's site.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Shark attack statistics

The website found at http://www.taronga.org.au/tcsa/conservation-programs/australian-shark-attack-file/general-information.aspx says, "Worldwide estimates state that 30 to 100 people a year are attacked (by sharks). Analysis of over 1000 case histories world wide, from the International Shark Attack File suggests an average of 30% (of attacks) are fatal. This is consistent with Australian figures of 28% fatal."
There are statistics re reported shark/human interactions for over 218 years (as of 2/7/2010). There hasn't been a fatality due to shark attack in Australian waters since 2008.

Uni study's findings re shark attacks

A University of Florida study released recently suggested that young surfers in black and white bathing suits were most vulnerable to shark attacks or bites. Also, sharks are said to most likely attack surfers and other unsuspecting swimmers in shallow water, on Sundays, during new moons and hot weather. The study based its conclusions on observations and statistics gathered over a 50-year period in Florida's Volusia County. The area is known as the "shark attack capital of the world". According to http://www.taronga.org.au/tcsa/conservation-programs/australian-shark-attack-file/general-information.aspx, "As of June 2009 for all Australian States combined: In the last 20 years, there have been 24 recorded fatalities due to shark attack = averages 1.2 per year. In the last 50 years, there have been 52 recorded fatalities due to shark attack = averages 1.04 per year." Visit http://www.news.com.au/world/shark-attacks-spike-on-new-moons-study/story-e6frfkyi-1225872458248 for further details re the University of Florida study.