Increase of Florida shark attacks predicted

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Shark attacks have declined throughout the world during the last several years, but projections are showing the number will likely increase, especially in Florida, according to a University of Florida study.

That could be bad news for beach go-ers in Florida, which is already the worldwide leader in shark attacks.

George Burgess, director of the Gainesville-based International Shark Attack File and co-author of the study, said the numbers of sharks decreased in certain areas because of overfishing, changes in weather patterns or variations in the proximity of currents to the shoreline.

But plans to limit commercial fishing could increase shark populations, said Kevin Johns, a research biologist at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

wide, is likely to lead to more shark attacks.

"As the worldwide populations increase, more people are frequenting the beach, so, in that respect, shark attacks could increase," Johns said.

Another problem, Johns said, is the number of surfers in Florida.

"Surfers are in the water all the time, good weather or bad weather," he said, noting that 69 percent of shark attacks worldwide in 1998 involved surfers.

Burgess said there were 19 shark attacks in Florida in 1998, down from 25 in 1997. Worldwide in 1998, 49 attacks were reported, while 57 were reported in 1997.

"Florida leads the world in the annual number of shark attacks," Burgess said. "There are younger and younger surfers in Florida contributing to it."

Burgess said many shark attacks happen because the shark confuses the person with a fish. Surfers are frequent victims because their kicking and splashing at the water's surface mimic the activities of a mullet or other shark snacks.

Last Nov. 21, the first death in Florida since 1988 from shark bite occurred.

James Willie Tellasmon was killed in Vero Beach while flailing his body in an attempt to stay above the surface, which attracted the shark.

"He was struggling to stay afloat," Burgess said. "It's very likely that the child was actually drowning before the attack."

More than half of the unprovoked shark attacks in 1998 occurred in North American waters, with three-quarters of those in Florida. The county with by far the most shark attacks was Volusia County, with 11, followed by Martin County with three and Indian River County with two.

03-18-99