The International Shark Attack File (ISAF) is a web-based system that keeps track of shark attacks worldwide. There are two categories for shark activities: provoked action and unprovoked attacks. Shark- inflicted scavenging of corpses (most often drowning or air-crash victims) and provoked incidents are not considered attacks. 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.

Scientists say there is a direct correlation between the number of shark attacks and human population growth. Not only are the oceans being fished at a higher rate than ever before, but there are more and more people in the water every year.

Since the late 1980’s, the number of shark attacks has grown at a steady rate from 38 in 1988 to 62 in 1994, 74 in 1995, and reached its all time high of 79 in 2000. According to statistics over the last decade, the northern Atlantic waters of Florida were the number one sites in the world for shark attacks (220). South Africa (69), Brazil (50), and Australia (36) are all ahead of Hawai‘i, which has had only 35 attacks in the last 10 years.

Statistics also show that most attacks occur between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., in two meters of water or less. More than half of the victims said they never saw the shark at all prior to the attack.

Despite ISAF statistics, local lifeguards and water safety experts alike say that night time is the most dangerous. “Sharks are believed to feed in the dusk and dawn hours, which is when they will hunt in shallower waters,” said Randy Honebrink of the Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources. “November and December are times of the year when it seems that sharks attack more often. Hawaiians have known about that for a long time. They feel it is due to the increased rains washing things into the ocean that attract the sharks. But the truth is that you are never 100 percent safe in the ocean. Sharks have attacked people at all times of the day and night. The unpredictability of this creature is what makes it so difficult to understand.

Lifeguards also urge beach goers not to swim alone. Never rely on flotation devices to compensate for lack of swimming ability, and always check in with lifeguards if there is a question or concern about currents and general water safety.