Why it matters

Sharks on the move

25th March 2010

The weather isn't the only thing changing: global warming could shift shark migrations - and attacks

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Surfers, take note: Shark sightings – and attacks – may become more common further north as climate change leads to warmer waters and shifting migration patterns for the sea’s top predators.

Overfishing, too, spurs sharks to seek food in unfamiliar waters. And as more people jump in the water (and even more will as the economy recovers), unprovoked attacks will rise. There were 61 attacks worldwide last year, a slight increase from the previous year.

Fact is, we are a bigger threat to sharks than they are to us: Tens of millions are killed each year. To date, 113 countries have signed a UN convention that prohibits hunting, fishing and killing of sharks. But if you’re in the water, you’ll want to know they’re there. Scientists at Dalhousie University in Halifax are tagging and tracking the beasts, but in the meantime, here’s a look at where you should be extra cautious.

Florida

This is by far the site of the most global shark attacks, 19 last year. New Smyrna Beach, on the Atlantic coast, has the title of shark attack capital of the world.

California, Hawaii and the Carolinas

America continues to have more attacks than any other country; these other states claim high numbers of bites.

Australia

The famous nets along the beaches of New South Wales keep attacks down – only 20 people were bitten last year, despite the busy beaches and sharky waters.

South Africa

The global hot spot for great white attacks; the massive beasts continue to congregate here where the cooler waters spawn shoals of fish during their breeding season.

Published in The Globe and Mail

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• Tags:
• Climate Change
• Fish
• Oceans
• Overfishing
• Travel

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