Shark Attacks Reach Highest Level Since 2000

Shark attacks in the United States in 2012 set a decade high, according to the International Shark Attack File report from the University of Florida.

There were 53 shark attacks in the United States in 2012, the highest number since 2000. There were 80 unprovoked attacks internationally, The international shark fatality count was seven, which is lower than 2011's number, but significantly higher than the 2000-2010 yearly average of 4.4.

"The numbers from an international standpoint were on target for the last couple of years because, in theory, each year we should have more attacks than the previous year owing to the rise of human population from year to year," said George Burgess, director of the report at the Florida Museum of Natural History on the Florida campus. "Thus the shark attack rate is not increasing even though the number of shark attacks is rising. Shark attack as a phenomenon is extremely uncommon, considering the millions of hours humans spend in the water each year."

He also added that the U.S. shark attack fatality rate of 2 percent is much much lower than the international rate of 22 percent. This difference is most likely a result of superior medical capabilities and safety measures, rather than anything to do with the sharks.

"We could reduce risks by avoiding areas and times when sharks are most common, and where danger is at its highest. A perfect example of that is in Western Australia, where people have been getting hit in areas of known white shark abundance at times of year when white shark numbers are at their highest - the responsibility is upon us, as humans, to avoid such situations or else pay the consequence."

Burgess stresses that although rates may be rising, you're not likely to be attacked by a shark. "Shark attacks are rare and it doesn't matter whether you call them attacks or bites or bumps - your chances of having any of them are slim."