This graph depicts an example of how the behavior patterns of humans can affect the number of shark attacks. Nearly all white shark attacks occur between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM NOT because of the shark's daily activity cycles, but because these are the times of the day when people are utilizing the ocean for recreation. A clear example of this fact is the drop in the number of recorded attacks between the hours of noon and 2:00 PM. This time of day is when many people leave the water to eat their lunch, which consequently reduces the chances of a human/shark interaction.

Data current as of: January 28, 2008

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