Expert reveals how RARE shark attacks really are

Local expert Bruce Noble recently revealed that shark attacks were globally rare.

LOCAL EXPERT SAID ATTACKS RESULTING IN DEATH AREN’T THAT HIGH GLOBALLY

Noble stated that on average, worldwide, there are about eight to nine deaths due to shark attacks every year. Speaking to the media earlier this year, Noble said that having two shark attacks in a short space of time in ‘our little area’ is very concerning.

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He explained that they have been observing sharks since 2004 and that there are a handful of sharks that return in the winter months. The return of the sharks coincides with the seal pups getting into the water said Noble who added that there is a reason why the sharks return every year.

WHAT MEASURES ARE BEING PUT IN PLACE?

Noble explained the mitigation measures they have implemented in Plettenberg Bay.

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“The use of drones, shark spotting programmes, sophisticated high-tech cameras with shark recognition systems, so we’re really trying to negate the risk as much as possible. Obviously, it’s not good for the humans, it’s not good for the sharks and it’s not good for the community,”

said Noble.

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HERE ARE SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SHARK ATTACKS:

• In the last 50 years, more shark attacks occurred on Saturdays than on other days of the week.
• Tiger Sharks, Great White Sharks, Bull Sharks, Blacktip Reef Sharks and Sand Sharks attacked most frequently of the known attacks in the last 50 years.
• In the last 50 years, morning is the time of day when most attacks occurred.
• 99% of all shark attacks were unprovoked in the last 50 years.
• In the last 50 years, more shark attacks happened in July than in any other month.
• The USA, Australia, and Africa had the most shark attacks in the last 50 years.
• Fatality rates are higher for shark attack victims in Africa and France over the last 50 years.
• Each year, worldwide, there are approximately 10 deaths attributed to shark attacks (in comparison to 150 deaths worldwide caused by falling coconuts). 
• According to National Geographic, you have a one in 218 chance of dying from a fall but a one in 3.7 million chance of being killed by a shark.
• The most common place to be attacked by a shark in the US is Florida. (Hawaii, California and South Carolina are in the top 4)
• 15% of 1000 Survey respondents said they would agree to be attacked by a shark for the cool story. *If they knew they would survive without long-term damage or ill effects.
• You have an 89.4% chance of surviving a shark attack.
• Out of 1000 Survey respondents, If they had to choose one tragedy, 10% would choose to be attacked by a shark, 14% would choose to be attacked by a bear, 34% would choose to fall out of a third-story window and 42% would choose an auto accident on the interstate at 70 MPH.

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