The 2015 Worldwide Shark Attack Summary is out!

According to the 2015 Worldwide Shark Attack Summary of the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), 2015 saw a record high number of unprovoked shark attacks. Out of a total of 164 recorded attacks, 98 were categorised as unprovoked; this figure surpasses the previous highest number of 88 unprovoked shark attacks in 2000.

However, before you go grabbing your speargun and practising the line "Smile you son of a bitch", it's important to point out that whilst the number of unprovoked attacks has risen in 2015, the overall rate of attacks could very well have remained unchanged or even fallen. The researchers who curate the ISAF attributed the increase in shark attacks to more humans in the water and better reporting of shark attacks rather than an increase in the rate of shark attacks. The researchers also caution against putting too much faith in short term trends owing to year to year variability of environmental conditions which can affect shark populations.

Of the 98 unprovoked shark attacks in 2015, there were only 6 fatalities worldwide and long term trends indicate that the rate of fatalities owing to shark attacks is decreasing. Whilst news of shark attacks will always draw media attention and excitement, the numbers pale into insignificance when compared to the 1.24 million people who were reported to have been killed in road traffic accidents in 2010.

Geographically the majority of the shark attacks occurred in North American waters, with Australia coming a close second with 18 unprovoked attacks - 1 of which was fatal. People participating in activities which caused a lot of surface turbulence such as surfers were the most vulnerable to attack whilst snorkellers constituted only 9% of the number of people attacked. There were no reports of unprovoked attacks on scuba divers in 2015.

The ISAF has been run from the Florida Museum of Natural History since 1988 and is the longest running database on shark attacks globally. As well as curating worldwide shark attack information, the ISAF also provides regular advice on shark attacks issues.