In the wake of the tragic deaths of Amity, Massachusetts
youths Chrissie Watson, 17, and Alex Kintner, 10, who were both killed in an
unprecedented string of shark attacks, citizens of Portsmouth have become
concerned with the safety of New Hampshire beaches.
Statistics
show, however, that shark attacks, especially fatal ones like these, are
incredibly rare in this New England, and particularly so here in New Hampshire.
“We
have no documented history of shark attacks historically or otherwise [in New
Hampshire],” said Renee Zobel, a marine biologist for the New Hampshire Marine
Fisheries Division.
According
to Zobel, the species of sharks that commonly infest New Hampshire waters
include several species that are historically non-aggressive such as the Blue
Shark, the Mako Shark, the small Spiny Dogfish Shark, and the Basking Shark.
Only
occasionally, Zobel says, do we see the notoriously aggressive Great White
Sharks, the species that has accounted for the most attacks and fatalities on
humans, around New Hampshire.
“The
possibility of a Great White attack is unlikely,” said Jonathan Pennock,
Director of the Marine Program at the University of New Hampshire. “They tend to be warmer water fish,” he
said.
Prior
to the fatal attacks on Watson and Kintner, Massachusetts had only recorded two
shark attacks in the state’s history.
One of these attacks, which occurred in 1936, resulted in a fatality.
Other
than the now four attacks that have taken place in Massachusetts waters, New
England has been home to very few shark attacks historically. Only Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode
Island have recorded attacks, each with one in their history.
According
to the International Shark Attack File (or ISAF), compiled by Ichthyology
Department at the Florida Museum of Natural History, there have been 1,085
shark attacks in the history of the United States. Only 44 of these attacks resulted in fatalities.
However,
the United States has accounted for more than double the amount of shark
attacks recorded on any other continent.
The next closest is Australia, which has recorded 488 shark
attacks. Worldwide, there have
been 2,463 shark attacks in history, for which the US accounts for nearly half. Last year, there were 75 confirmed
unprovoked attacks worldwide.
Of
the recorded US attacks, nearly 78% have occurred in Florida, which has
accounted for 637 attacks, California, and Hawaii, which have both accounted
for just over 100 attacks apiece.
To
put the odds of being attacked in perspective: According to Oceana, an
international oceanic protection agency, 200 million people visit US beaches
each year. Of these people, only
36 will be attacked by sharks, placing the odds at 1 in 11.5 million. (See graph below). One is more likely to be struck by
lightning, or killed by a dog than to be killed by a shark. So, the odds are in your favor, beach-goers.
Risk of Beach Injuries and Fatalities: (Courtesy of Oceana)
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Drowning and other beach-related fatalities:
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1 in 2 million
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Drowning fatalities:
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1 in 3.5 million
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Shark attacks:
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1 in 11.5 million
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Shark attack fatalities:
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0 in 264.1 million
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