The Australian: Australia tops world in fatal shark attacks [February 17, 2005]

The Australian: Australia tops world in fatal shark attacks [February 17, 2005]: "Australia tops world in fatal shark attacks
Ashleigh Wilson
February 17, 2005
AUSTRALIA ranked second behind the US for shark attacks last year, but led the world in fatalities.

A total of 61 shark attacks were recorded around the world in 2004 - four more than in 2003, but fewer than in the three previous years.
According to the International Shark Attack File, compiled by the Florida Museum of Natural History, the US had the highest number of attacks with 30, followed by Australia with 12 and Brazil and South Africa on five each.
Of the seven deaths last year, the ISAF said two people were killed in Australia and two in the US, and there were single fatalities in Brazil, Egypt and South Africa.
But the figures omitted one Australian death, as sharks killed three men in our waters last year.
In July, Bradley Smith, 29, died after he was attacked by a shark near Western Australia's Margaret River.
In December, Mark Thompson, 38, was killed by a shark while spear-fishing at Opal Reef off Cairns.
And a few days later, 18-year-old Nick Peterson was mauled to death by a great white while being towed behind a boat on a surfboard at Adelaide's West Beach. After his death, his father, Philip Peterson, came out against the culling of sharks, saying he and his son had always believed they were there to be 'admired, appreciated and respected'.
The chances of being attacked by a shark remain less than of being struck by lightning. CSIRO Marine Research team leader Barry Bruce said yesterday the deaths were tragic, but the figures showed shark attacks were uncommon and there was no need to over-react.
'There's no doubt it's a rare event compared with some o"