ISAF 2006 Worldwide Shark Attack Summary
Source: International Shark Attack File (University of Florida)

The International Shark Attack File (ISAF) investigated 96 alleged incidents of shark-human interaction occurring worldwide in 2006. Upon review, 62 of these incidents represented confirmed cases of unprovoked shark attack on humans. “Unprovoked attacks” are defined as incidents where an attack on a live human by a shark occurs in its natural habitat without human provocation of the shark. Incidents involving sharks and divers in public aquaria or research holding-pens, shark-inflicted scavenge damage to already dead humans (most often drowning victims), attacks on boats, and provoked incidents occurring in or out of the water are not considered unprovoked attacks. “Provoked attacks” usually occur when a human initiates physical contact with a shark, e.g. a diver bit after grabbing a shark, a fisher bit while removing a shark from a net, and attacks on spearfishers and those feeding sharks. The 34 incidents not accorded unprovoked status in 2006 included 16 provoked attacks, five cases of sharks biting marine vessels, two incidents dismissed as non-attacks, two scavenge incidents, and nine cases in which insufficient information was available to determine if shark attack was involved.

The 2006 yearly total of 62 unprovoked attacks was similar to the 61 unprovoked attacks in 2005 and continues a five year decline in attacks since reaching 79 in 2000. Despite the recent yearly declines, the number of unprovoked shark attacks has grown at a steady rate over the past century. Overall, the 1990’s had the highest attack total of any decade and the first decade of the 21st century likely will continue that upward trend. The growth in shark attack numbers does not necessarily mean there is an increase in rate of shark attack, rather it most likely is reflective of the ever-increasing amount of time spent in the sea by humans.

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