DATELINE: 6 February 2003

SHARK ATTACKS DECLINE WORLDWIDE

The number of injuries and deaths caused by sharks worldwide has fallen for a second year running to just 60 unprovoked incidents in 2002, reports the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File.
As ever, you are far more likely to be killed by falling coconuts than by a shark bite but the odds just got even slimmer. Three people were fatally attacked by sharks in 2002, two in Australia and one in Brazil, this is down from 5 deaths in 2001 and 13 deaths in 2000.
Speculation about the declining figures has identified three main causes: the declining number of sharks because of over-fishing, fewer baitfish in shallow waters to attract the sharks close to shore, and fewer tourists due to a downturn in the global economy.
Almost half the incidents took place in Florida, a trend which is consistent with previous years. Surfers and swimmers make up the vast majority of victims, with divers and snorkellers representing less than 10% of the incidents. On top of that, most of the injuries caused by shark bites were considered no more serious than dog bites.