Changing patterns of shark attacks in Australian waters

Abstract

Abstract. Although infrequent, shark attacks attract a high level of public and media interest, and often have serious consequences for those attacked. Data from the Australian Shark Attack File were examined to determine trends in unprovoked shark attacks since 1900, particularly over the past two decades. The way people use the ocean has changed over time. The rise in Australian shark attacks, from an average of 6.5 incidents per year in 1990-2000, to 15 incidents per year over the past decade, coincides with an increasing human population, more people visiting beaches, a rise in the popularity of water-based fitness and recreational activities and people accessing previously isolated coastal areas. There is no evidence of increasing shark numbers that would influence the rise of attacks in Australian waters. The risk of a fatality from shark attack in Australia remains low, with an average of 1.1 fatalities year À1 over the past 20 years. The increase in shark attacks over the past two decades is consistent with international statistics of shark attacks increasing annually because of the greater numbers of people in the water.

Decadal trends in shark catches and effort from the New South Wales, Australia, Shark Meshing Program 1950 - 2010

“…The species most regularly implicated in shark attack off NSW is the white shark (West 2011). White sharks are a protected species in Australia, yet are still regularly incidentally caught in various fishing gear throughout Australia (Green et al 2009).…”

“…Tiger sharks are one of the three species most regularly implicated in shark attacks (Cliff 1991;West 2011) and are therefore a target species for the SMP. Tiger-shark catches are traditionally low in the SMP, reflecting either a low coastal abundance or limited catchability in the gear deployed.…”

The importance of research and public opinion to conservation management of sharks and rays: a synthesis

“…In fact, West (2011) reported that, at least in Australian waters, ocean use has increased dramatically, and as a result the incidence of attacks, relative to total population, has increased over the past 20 years. This suggests that the fear that society once had for sharks has decreased, and with it has come a change in attitude towards sharks.…”

Fatal tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier attack in New Caledonia erroneously ascribed to great white shark, Carcharodon carcharias

“…2,3 There is widespread admission that dangerous encounters of sharks by humans in a recreational context have increased in New Caledonia in recent years, 3,4 as in other regions. 5,6 A possible explanation of this trend might well be that human frequentation of the New Caledonian reef and lagoon also increases from year to year. 7 So far, eight fatal shark attacks have been reported from New Caledonia.…”