Asia-Pacific

Shark attacks rise in Australia

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-02 17:22

CANBERRA - New research shows shark attacks are increasing in Australia, Sydney Morning Herald reports on Tuesday.

The Shark Attack File statistics study shows shark attacks in Australia were up as Australia had 20 attacks last year, compared with 12 in 2008 and 13 in 2007.

According to the study, the number of shark attacks worldwide has stayed about the same, with 61 events last year compared with 60 in 2008, but there was an overall increase if looks over the past two decades.

It also noted that fewer people died from the more serious shark attacks than a century ago, when about 60 percent of shark attacks were deadly.

The one thing beachgoers can do to avoid being bitten by sharks is to stay out of the water between dusk and dawn - and to stay in groups whenever possible.

The report says the United States tops the world with 28 attacks last year, followed by 20 in Australia and six in South Africa.