[JaxPT]

World Shark Attacks Drop as Swimmers Learn to Fear

MIAMI (Reuters) - Shark attacks around the world declined in 2003 for a third straight year, partly because swimmers and surfers grew more accustomed to thinking of the ocean as a wild and dangerous place


The University of Florida, which houses the International Shark Attack File, said on Tuesday there were 55 unprovoked attacks worldwide, down from 63 reported in 2002 and lower than the previous year's 68 attacks.


Four people were killed, compared to three in 2002, four in 2001 and 11 in the year 2000.
the bulk of last year's attacks -- 41 -- were in U.S. waters. One of the most prominent victims was 13-year-old surfing champion Bethany Hamilton, who lost an arm to a Great White off Kauai's North Shore in Hawaii.


There were six attacks in Australia, two each in Brazil and South Africa, and one each in Fiji, India, Madagascar and Venezuela. The U.S. state of Florida remained the world's shark attack capital. [?]

Hey at least we're #1 for something ..BTW, the 13 yr old who lost her arm to the great white is back surfing competitions[^]