Such logic has indeed been born out in this year’s International Shark Attack File’s (ISAF) worldwide report for 2020, which was released today by The Florida Museum. COURTESY HAWAII DLNR. Note regarding the illustration of shark bites by US state. Hawaii DLNR released photos of a surfboard with bite marks. As the human population continues to expand and as interest in outdoor aquatic recreational activities increases, the incidence of shark attacks is expected to rise. Be in absolutely no doubt that sharks have a lot more to fear from us than we do from them. Meet The Future, New Polydrop Teardrop Trailer Gets Tesla-Friendly With New Solar, Batteries, And Better Aero, Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Hotel Candles, Norway’s Startup Airline Flyr Reveals Smart New Livery, Artist Zoë Buckman Revives Her Feminist Body Of Work In Latest London Exhibit. Experts insist that sharks do not actively seek out humans as prey. ISAF investigated 129 alleged shark-human interactions around the world last year, confirming 57 unprovoked attacks globally, down on the 64 in 2019 and 66 in 2018 – figures that pull the most recent five-year average to 80 incidents a year. A 26-year-old male victim was killed by a shark of an unknown species Saturday at a Northern California beach while surfing in the waters off Manresa State Beach on … Dec. 10, 2020. — World Surf League (@wsl) December 10, 2020 @wsl A recreational surfer was attacked by a shark in Maui on Tuesday -- forcing a pro surfing competition to … With fewer people heading to the beach in 2020, human-shark encounters dropped. Undertaken properly, diving with sharks can be an extraordinary and positive experience. The majority of shark attacks in the Caribbean have occurred in the Bahamas, with two reported last year, one of them fatal. SHARK ATTACKS which proved to be fatal reached a seven-year high in 2020, yet the number of attacks which were non-fatal was 'extremely low', … Similarly, states that had one bite are just shy of being 3% of the US total. Volusia County recorded eight shark bites, none of them fatal. An Oregon surfer who was attacked by a shark was likely bitten by a great white drawn to his motion in the water — and is lucky to be alive, an expert said. Attacked about 20 yards from the shore while swimming with daughter. Over the last 15 years I’ve dedicated most of my career and free time to finding out and telling those stories, I’m insatiably obsessed with what’s around the next corner. An Oregon surfer who was attacked by a shark was likely bitten by a great white drawn to his motion in the water — and is lucky to be alive, an expert said. Florida is now once again the Shark attack capital of the world. Improved global communications between ISAF, scientific observers and beach safety organizations as well as increased coverage of sharks in the media has heighten… Shark pulls 10-year-old boy from boat and attacks him off Australian coast. The surfing organization shared condolences to the shark attack victim's family, friends and the Maui surfing community, "The WSL has learned that Tuesday's victim of the shark attack at Honolua Bay has tragically passed away," wrote the WSL in a caption on social media. With far fewer people traveling to sunny shores for beachside vacations in 2020, logic would have it that means fewer people spent as much time in the ocean, be it to swim, surf, snorkel or scuba dive. While fatalities increased, shark bites on people were down in 2020, marking the third straight year shark attacks decreased. Over the last 15 years I’ve dedicated most of my career and free time to finding out and telling those stories for print and online magazines, newspapers, travel guides, books and businesses. Shark bites in Florida. (CNN) Shark warning signs went up … Volusia County recorded eight shark bites, none of them fatal. A breakdown of the 129 investigated interactions reveals 57 unprovoked attacks, 39 unprovoked, six boat attacks, one scavenge (inflicted post mortem), one on a diver in a public aquarium, three doubtful reports that likely didn’t involve a shark, six that couldn’t be assigned to any one category and 16 unconfirmed. Even so, this number represents 58% of the global total. They confirmed that there were 57 unprovoked shark … Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. A surfer who was attacked by a shark in Hawaii on Tuesday has died, prompting the suspension a women's professional surfing competition in Honolua Bay. Attacks fell for the third consecutive year to 57 unprovoked bites worldwide in 2020, compared with 64 in 2019 and 66 in 2018. You may opt-out by. By Rob Picheta, CNN. Thanks 2020: Fatal shark attacks peaked last year, deadliest since 2013 Surfer dies of injuries after shark bite during competition Surfer attacked by great white shark is lucky to be alive: expert That amounts to 14% of the world's reported shark attacks in 2020, and half of the 16 shark bites reported in Florida. Taking a closer look at incidents in the US, Florida continues to top global charts for incidents with 16 bites (none fatal) – near half of all US incidents but still well below the five year average of 30. 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A seal pokes his head out of the water in Casco Bay off Portland, Maine. Attacks fell for the third consecutive year to 57 unprovoked bites worldwide in 2020, compared with 64 in 2019 and 66 in 2018. These include instances when divers are bitten after harassing or trying to touch sharks, bites on spearfishers, bites on people attempting to feed sharks, bites occurring while unhooking or removing a shark from a fishing net and so forth.”. The 56-year-old man from Lahaina, a city in West Maui, was paddling out from the old ramp in the bay when the incident occurred. A surfer in Florida was bit by a shark on July 31, 2020. The term Shark Attack is used to describe an attack on human by sharks. A post shared by World Surf League (@wsl). With shark populations in serious decline and slow to reproduce, it is only through greater awareness and empathy, enforced protection and active measures that we can protect and guarantee their future and in doing so preserve healthy ocean habitats around the world. Elsewhere, there were single incidents in St. Martin’s in the Caribbean (fatal) and also in Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand and Thailand. (CNN)A surfer who was attacked by a shark in Hawaii on Tuesday has died, prompting the suspension a women's professional surfing competition in Honolua Bay. The 56-year-old male recreational surfer who died after being bitten by a shark at Honolua Bay in Maui has been identified as Robin Warren of Napili, Maui police said. This is because the percentages are not exactly on the nose, but rather, approximations. Despite their rarity, many people fear shark attacks after occasional serial attacks, such as the Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916, and horror fiction and films such as the Jaws series. NINE people have been killed in some 60 shark attacks worldwide so far in 2020 – the highest figure since 2013. AP. Yes, the museum investigated 129 alleged shark-human interactions worldwide in 2020. While annual fluctuations are common and long-term trends point to decreasing fatalities, variability in oceanographic, socioeconomic and meteorological conditions alongside the influence of Covid-19 significantly influences the local abundance of sharks and humans in the water. S hark attacks decreased for the third consecutive year, falling to 57 unprovoked bites worldwide in 2020, compared with 64 bites in 2019 and 66 in 2018, according to the annual summary issued by the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File.The most recent five-year global average sank to 80 incidents annually. I write topical, environmental and experiential travel stories. Beyond the often appalling way they’re treated (fins removed, tossed back into the ocean alive to sink and drown), it’s vital to remember that sharks are key to a healthy ocean habitat – as the alpha predator (humans aside) and top of the food chain, they eat weak and diseased animals, which improves ocean environments that in turn helps fish stocks remain at the right levels. Updated 0320 GMT (1120 HKT) December 11, 2020. The five-year global average fell to 80 incidents annually. By the same logic, fewer people in the water should therefore equate to fewer encounters between humans and sharks over the course of the year. That was a decrease from the average of 82 annual unprovoked attacks from 2014 to 2018. A 56-year-old man from Lahaina died Wednesday after being bit by a shark Tuesday morning while surfing … My writing has appeared all over the globe for the likes of Lonely Planet, Sunday Times Travel, FHM, Boat International, Huck, Escapism, Real Travel, Discovery, Travel Ideas, Mashable, Timberland, Men’s Fitness and many more. Florida led the world in shark attacks again in 2020 Last year, the US reported 33 unprovoked shark attacks, accounting for about 58% of the … Updated 5:23 PM ET, Fri November 27, 2020 The incident took place about 100 yards off shore from the Mahina Surf Condominiums in Lahaina, West Maui. The unidentified victim passed away early Wednesday evening, officials at Maui Memorial Medical Center told CNN. Impact 50: Investors Seeking Profit — And Pushing For Change, Get A Load Of The Coolest Vegan Ice Cream Flavors On The Planet, Umberto Cesari Seeks Respect For The Wines Of Emilia-Romagna, Encore Boston Harbor Chef Dishes About Lunar New Year, COVID-19 Has Changed Wellness Real Estate And Hospitality Forever. Thanks 2020: Fatal shark attacks peaked last year, deadliest since 2013 'Almost complete' ancient shark fossil sheds new light on Earth's past Woman dies in suspected shark attack … Once more these figures reveal one outstanding truth – that the chances of getting bitten by a shark of any kind are miniscule. To help with that, ISAF offers resources for reducing your risk of shark bite and instructions for what to do if you are attacked. Updated 11:48 AM ET, Mon January 6, 2020 (CNN) No trace of an Australian diver has been found more than 24 hours after what police believe was a … The illustration shows 48% rather than 49% because that's how the ISAF experts described the proportion of bites from Florida in the report, and the University of Florida wanted the chart to be consistent with the report. A shark attack also was … You’re more likely to be killed by a collapsing hole in the sand you may happen to find yourself in and an amazing 30 times more likely to be struck by lightning than have an encounter with the men in gray suits. The research documented 57 total unprovoked shark attacks in 2020, down slightly from 64 in 2019. Florida accounted for nearly half of the 33 shark bites reported in the U.S. in 2020, down from 41 incidents in 2019 or by a rate of 19.5%. NINE people have been killed in some 60 shark attacks worldwide so far in 2020 - the highest figure since 2013. The shark's bite took a 17 inch-wide chunk out of the surfboard. Shark ... [+] fins drying on a roof in Hong Kong. Robin Warren, 56: December 8, 2020: Maui, Hawaii: Tiger shark: Attack happened just before 8 a.m. in Honolua Bay while the victim was on his surfboard. Shark attacks decreased for the third consecutive year, falling to 57 unprovoked bites worldwide in 2020, compared with 64 bites in 2019 and 66 in … With fewer people heading to the beach in 2020, human-shark encounters dropped. To find out more about how to stay safe when in the water and help promote shark conservation, organizations like The Shark Trust offer fantastic resources, news and games to encourage learning and in doing so safeguard the future of sharks through positive change – something we should all be onboard with. Whether it’s revelling behind bulletproof glass in luxury chalets high in the Austrian Alps or trailing a broke-down Beetle along dusty tracks in search of Senegal’s empty waves, I’m as happy in a hostel as a hotel. You're 30 times more likely to get struck by lightning than bitten by a shark. This is before we factor in habitat loss, environmental pollution and other human factors decimating numbers and habitats. The number of non-fatal shark attacks in 2020 numbered 57 worldwide, well below the average of 80. This underscores the vitally important efforts to improve ocean rescue, medical care and perhaps most of all, shark education. The Florida Museum documented 64 unprovoked shark attacks and 41 provoked attacks last year. It also added that there were 39 further provoked bites on humans. Despite this, fatalities increased – dig into the numbers to find out why. Shark bites in Florida. Dec. 9, 2020. Shark attacks decreased for the third consecutive year, falling to 57 unprovoked bites worldwide in 2020, compared with 64 bites in 2019 and 66 in … Hawaii saw five bites (one fatal), California four (one fatal) and North Carolina three, with single incidents in Alabama, Delaware, Oregon, South Carolina and Maine (a first fatality for the state). Once again Florida saw by far the most shark incidents in 2020, although none was fatal. The attack prompted the indefinite hold of the World Surf League women's professional surfing competition Maui Pro on the day of the incident. The surfer who died in the attack was a recreational surfer and was not involved in the WSL competition, said the DLNR. Dave J Hogan/Getty Images. The first recorded fatal shark attack in Maine. The most recent five-year global average sank to 80 incidents annually. The global fishing industry kills around 100 million sharks each year, every year. Meanwhile, more than 500 miles away in Alabama, a teen was believed to have been attacked by a shark … There were 57 unprovoked bites worldwide in 2020… But it was the deadliest year since 2013, with 10 unprovoked … The 2020 shark attack report. The five-year global average fell to 80 incidents annually. I’m insatiably obsessed with what’s around the next corner. The US had 33 bites in total, 16 of which were in Florida – technically, 48% of 33 is 15.84 while 49% is 16.17 bites. Shark attacks in Florida are lower than its five-year average, but the Sunshine State still led the world in unprovoked attacks last year. Florida accounted for nearly half of the 33 shark bites reported in the U.S. in 2020, down from 41 incidents in 2019 or by a rate of 19.5%. Scientists have suggested shifting … And if you are left in any doubt, taking a step back and comparing the imbalance in human and shark fatalities reveals who the true victims are. See note at ... [+] end regarding percentages. This group typically spends most of its time in the surf zone where sharks also like to hang out, splashing around, wiping out, paddling and generally, if unintentionally, making themselves look more like lunch to the toothy predators. Despite this promising drop in incidents, it was an unusually deadly year with 13 shark related fatalities, of which ten were unprovoked – a number well above the annual worldwide average of four unprovoked fatalities a year. Swimmers and waders account for 26% of incidents with the rest split between snorkelers and free divers (4%), body surfers (5%) and scuba divers (4%). British born, living in Germany, but happiest heading for the horizon. AP. "Our thoughts and hearts are with the victim's family and friends as well as the entire Maui surfing community. To be clear, ISAF defines unprovoked attacks as “incidents in which an attack on a live human occurs in the shark’s natural habitat with no human provocation of the shark” and provoked attacks as “when a human initiates interaction with a shark in some way. Looking at how these incidents happen we can see that surfers and board sports enthusiasts again account for most incidents with 61% of total cases. Unprovoked shark bite incidents tend to be concentrated in the US and Australia. A shark attack is an attack on a human by a shark.Every year, around 80 unprovoked attacks are reported worldwide. Once more the runner-up, Australia saw 18 unprovoked bites – slightly above the five-year average for the region of 16. Scientists have suggested shifting … The best chance sharks have is for humans to protect their ocean habitats through education, ... [+] conservation and direct action. A seal pokes his head out of the water in Casco Bay off Portland, Maine. Also consistent with long-term trends, the US once again experienced the most unprovoked bites with 33 confirmed cases, an almost 20% drop on the 41 seen in 2019. The WSL announced the decision to cancel the remaining heats of the competition at Honolua Bay on Wednesday. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. The number of human-shark interactions is strongly correlated with time spent by humans in the sea. Florida led the world in shark attacks again in 2020 Last year, the US reported 33 unprovoked shark attacks, accounting for about 58% of the … You may have noticed the pie chart adds up to only 99%! Hence the overall total is 1% shy of 100%! In 2018, there were 66 attacks and four deaths due to shark bites. S hark attacks decreased for the third consecutive year, falling to 57 unprovoked bites worldwide in 2020, compared with 64 bites in 2019 and 66 in 2018, according to the annual summary issued by the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File. July 30, 2020. Every year around 75 attacks are reported worldwide. Trends continue to point to a decline in both incidents and fatalities, despite the anomaly this year, and are a reflection of advances in beach safety, medical treatment and public awareness. Indeed, the continued long-term downward trend for confirmed unprovoked attacks in recent years continues, but 2020’s numbers represent a more drastic drop – some good news then! July 30, 2020. A black-tip shark is seen swimming during a baited shark dive in Umkomaas near Durban, South Africa on December 10, 2020. South Carolina is among the top 5 states in the U.S. when it comes to shark attacks — but it registered only one bite in 2019, and this is the first along the Grand Strand in 2020. That amounts to 14% of the world's reported shark attacks in 2020, and half of the 16 shark bites reported in Florida. Despite this, fatalities increased – dig into the numbers to find out why. Updated 5:44 AM ET, Fri July 17, 2020. I’m always interested in hearing about amazing new places and things, so message me on Instagram @english_man_abroad and twitter @duncantwit, and read more of my travel writing at https://www.duncanmadden.com/editorial/, © 2021 Forbes Media LLC.