The trends displayed above reflect the behavior pattern of different age groups of people utilizing ocean waters. The major peaks at ages 15-29 indicates that people from that age bracket frequent the water more than any other age, engaging in such activities as surfing, boogie boarding, or SCUBA diving. This increases the chances for individuals in this age group to have a shark interaction while in the water. It so happens that people engaging in these activities can be mistaken as the natural prey items of the white shark, such as seals and sea lions. For further information, see the ISAF 2012 Worldwide Shark Attack Summary and the Carcharodon carcharias biological profile.

Data current as of: February 28, 2013

© International Shark Attack File Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida