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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)

Drowning and other beach-related fatalities:	1 in 2 million
Drowning fatalities:	1 in 3.5 million
Shark attacks:	1 in 11.5 million
Shark attack fatalities:	0 in 264.1 million