gotta love the media

[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[^]

[Rolo]

We're the lightning capital, too! So surf in a storm and really thumb your nose at Fate!

I am sure we would be the Enfeebled-Elderly-Who-Cannot-Drive-Vote-Or-Order-Soup Capital if someone tabulated such things.

[quicksilverdon]

Illogical article. For some thing with way less that 100 occurences in a year, looking for a cause in a drop form one year to next is statistically unsound.

Gotta think Australia would "win" if there were as many people in the water as Florida!

Hey, does Jeb Bush surf? [}]

[bobs turbo pt]

"the ocean as a wild and dangerous place"

aren't most roads that way also !!

[KingKole02]

#1 one for an not so good reason, but I guess its better than none.

[PTucker]

I dont like the term "Shark Attack" IT sounds like the shark was trying to have lunch.

If a shark attacked you with the goal of killing/eating you, you have 0.00001% odds of living.


Its more like a taste, cause they dont know what we are.

[Rolo]

Taste like chicken.

[Hooligan]

IF they were really hungry, they would come back and finish you off!!
We must NOT taste like chicken OR the sharks haven't aquired the taste of chicken or else they would be back for more than one bite!!

Must not like the taste of human!!!![^]

[PTucker]

quote:Originally posted by Hooligan

IF they were really hungry, they would come back and finish you off!!
We must NOT taste like chicken OR the sharks haven't aquired the taste of chicken or else they would be back for more than one bite!!

Must not like the taste of human!!!![^]

Thats it. Most of these attacks are just one bite. Why the hell would a shark want to eat a 40 year old chain smoker, ex-biker woman when he could have a nice seal?[|)]

[PTucker]

While I'm on it.........people need to learn more about bears. "If your charged, you should drop and play dead." <---- No, If your attack you should drop. When charged you stand your ground, Hold your arms out and talk to the bear in a soft tone(dont come on to him[8]). "Throw your backpack down, its got food and he wants it."<--- Thats it. 2 feet of padding that could protect your back need to be off.[xx(]

Here is my fav......They tell you to play dead but never talk about time of day. Many people have died cause they were attacked at NIGHT and played dead when they would be fighting........At night the bear is only there for ONE reason.....FOOD, and your the plate of the day[}]





I'm just ranting[^]