Shark Attacks On The Rise!

ISAF Reports Increase In Unprovoked Shark Attacks

The ISAF acronym stands for - International Shark Attack Files at the University of Florida. They have been working hard to investigate, catalog and report all shark attacks.

The year 2001, off the coast of the USA will be an unforgettable year for shark attacks with several attacks and three fatalities. There were also 50 attacks which is three less attacks than 2000 which only resulted in one fatality.

Here's how the ISAF list attacks for the USA and Canada:

2001: 50 attacks and 3 fatalities

2002: 47 attacks and 0 fatalities

2003: 40 attacks and 1 fatality

2004: 30 attacks and 2 fatalities

2005: 40 attacks and 1 fatality

2006: 40 attacks and 0 fatalities

2007: 50 attacks and 0 fatalities

Deaths have gone down since 2001 but other than 2004, unprovoked shark attacks can be clearly seen as rising. Why is this trend turning slowly up? There are many theories, in fact probably enough, that one will be mentioned that you agree with more than others.

Theories run from global warming to the increase of people involved in aquatic sports. These vary from one region to another and also on the kind of shark.

The mistaken identity theory is a good one. Man paddles short board out to the break and is mistaken for a seal and bang, he's being sampled by a Great White Shark. In Hawaii and Australia, in certain areas they are supposedly mistaken for giant sea turtles.

The most controversial theory and my favorite ones, is that sharks are being lured into more shallow waters by interactive shark feeding displays, all for a share of those tourist dollars.

Look at Yellowstone Park for instance, man finds happy cuddly bears and feeds them consistently, all of a sudden bears are smashing into cars, tearing up campsites and some actually killing people. These are all certain death sentences for the bear, who man has pre-conditioned to associate his presence with some easy to procure and tasty treats. It seems like every time man interferes with nature he unbalances natural laws and we all, people and animals, suffer for it.

Many places have banned these shark feeding dive trips but there are plenty of spots in the Bahamas, Tahiti, Mexico, South Africa and so on that still have thriving tourist dive packages available. Supposedly banned in Florida, the shark feeding business still persists despite the law. Many other injuries beside bites have occurred, such as missing fingers - courtesy of playful eels and other intolerant ocean critters. Many of these have been documented by underwater photography crews!

Oddly enough and flying in the face of all of the data, the "dive masters" of these excursions blame, not themselves but the over-fishing of commercial fishermen. They cry out that the government should not tamper with their way of life!

You mean way of death don't you? Don't Feed The Animals Dummy!