http://www.wftv.com/news/2799163/detail.html

Florida Leads World In 2003 Shark Attacks
Shark Attacks Worldwide Have Dropped 30 Percent Over The Past Three Years

POSTED: 10:35 AM EST January 28, 2004
UPDATED: 11:34 AM EST January 28, 2004

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The number of shark attacks worldwide has dropped 30 percent over the past three years, which is good news for surfers but possibly bad news for sharks.

George Burgess, director of the International Shark Attack File at UF's Museum of Natural History, said the decline in shark attacks is caused by a worldwide decline in their number.

The number of attacks dropped for the third year in a row, with 55 unprovoked attacks reported last year. There were 79 reported attacks in 2000, 68 in 2001 and 63 reported attacks in 2002.

"It's beginning to signal to us a little bit that maybe there is something happening here," Burgess said, who added that three consecutive years of dropping rates is significant.

Four people were killed in attacks on 2003, compared with three in 2002 and four in 2001. All were much lower than the 11 fatalities in 2000.

Fatalities occurred in Australia, California, Fiji and South Africa.

A total of 36 attacks, or 65 percent, occurred in North American waters, including 35 from the continental United States and one in the Virgin Islands.

Florida had the largest number of attacks with 31. Volusia County had the most attacks in the state with 14, down from 18 in 2002 and 22 in 2001. Most of those attacks occurred at New Smyrna Beach, an area popular with surfers.

Other counties having shark attacks in 2003 were Brevard, 8; St. Johns, 3; Martin, 2; Palm Beach, 2; Miami-Dade, 1, and St. Lucie, 1.

Surfers and windsurfers were the recreational group most often subjected to shark attack in 2003, with 29 cases, or 54 percent of the attacks.

Burgess attributes part of the decline to an increase of shark fishing.

On the East Coast, some shark species have seen a 40 percent to 50 percent drop in population in the past 15 years, Burgess said. A few shark populations have declined as much as 70 percent.

Another factor may be caused by the economic downturn leaving fewer people able to afford beach vacations.

In addition, people seem to be heeding simple advice: stay away from sharks.

Swimmers shouldn't go into the ocean if sharks have been spotted recently, Burgess said. He also cautioned against swimming in the ocean at dawn and dusk, when sharks are feeding and are most active. In addition, Burgess said swimmers should avoid places where shark are likely to be found, such as inlets, channels and the troughs between sand bars.

More swimmers are realizing that they have to coexist with sharks, he said.

"It's not like jumping into the YMCA pool. You're jumping into a foreign environment," he said. "You wouldn't think about going to Africa and not worrying about the lions and leopards and water buffalo.

Your fear of sharks still cracks me up. :P

The sad part is that shark populations are going down. They play a vital roll in the health of the oceans.

Well at least i know of one way i won't die!! :P

You could get nailed by one of dem dere Land Sharks..............








:yowsa:

Que the Theme from Jaws

Hmmmm Sharks in Wisconsin? :matey:

Sailed off to Antigua.
It took her three days on a boat.
Lookin' for some peace and quiet;
Maybe keep her dreams afloat.
But now she feels like a remora,
'cause the school's still close at hand.
Just behind the reef are the big white teeth
of the sharks that can swim on the land.

B)

Fins to the left, Fins to the right


I hang my head in shame, well maybe not - a pirate looks at 40 is pretty cool

I go for younger women, lived with several awhile
And though I ran away, they'll come back one day.
And still could manage a smile
It just takes awhile, just takes awhile.

Mother, mother ocean, after all these years I've found
My occupational hazard being my occupations
just not around.
I feel like I've drowned,
Gonna head uptown.


I love Jimmy, damn I need some sun and warmth B)

and how could you pick the most appropriate verse ah ha ha ha ha :wnw:



fuck it's cold here
21 degrees F, with the wind chill it feels like 14, 6 - 8 inches of snow on the ground and only 1 day in the next week forecast to be above freezing

Que the Theme from Jaws

Hmmmm Sharks in Wisconsin? :matey:[/b][/quote]
Hehehe.. they would be awfully cold right now!! :P

I LOVE Jimmy Buffet!! His concerts are pure fun!! Grew up sailing on Lake Michigan (no sharks there!!) and listened to quite a bit of Jimmy Buffet, Gordon Lightfoot, and Cat Stevens while doing so!! :okthumb:

Keep me out of the ocean here in a few weeks ulfie.... :lol:

Samrt man!! When you swim in the ocean you are nothing more than shark food!! :zoinks:

Samrt man!! When you swim in the ocean you are nothing more than shark food!! :zoinks:[/b][/quote]
:P

my father swims with the fishes.....
;-)))

hahaha... maybe they did it James Bond style with the meat on one end and your uncle on the other?? :P

Ahhh finally a topic I can use my marine biology degree on!!!

If the chinese/japanese would stop using them as herbal viagra it would certianly help.

Millions of years of evolution hasn't changed them much........Maybe they need a new food source - mmm splash around, can't swim fast, decent fat ratio, easy kills mmm humans!!

I'm pulling for the sharks!!!