Beachgoers and wave chasers may want to think twice before heading to any of these locations. These are the world's worst spots for shark attacks, according to data gathered on unprovoked attacks which unveils the planet's most dangerous beach for galeophobics - or indeed anyone still nervous about the water after watching Steven Spielberg's Jaws. While the number of unprovoked attacks plummeted last year, data still shows there were 88 reports of encounters with the beasts, 47 of which were unprovoked and 24 resulting in people being bitten. Half of all unprovoked attacks in the US meanwhile occurred off the coast of one state.
The International Shark Attack File, run by the Florida Museum of Natural History, shows the Sunshine State accounted for half of the 28 unprovoked attacks recorded in the States, with one county in particular of crying concern. Volusia County was given the undesirable title of shark attack capital, with eight recorded attacks last year alone. Florida's waters are used as a breeding ground by blacktip sharks - a species known for their preference of shallower waters and where juveniles are unable to distinguish humans from prey. Bull sharks and tiger sharks - both species capable of attacking humans - are also found in waters around the Panhandle.
Surfer Cole Taschman was surfing off Bathtub Beach in Stuart, Florida, in October when he was bitten by what's thought to have been a bull shark. Thankfully, his injuries weren't fatal but nearly cost him his legs. The experienced surfer, who was previously bitten 12 years earlier, told FOX that the shark's teeth "went through "like butter", leaving him needing 93 stitches. The US already has the highest number of attacks of any country, with four fatal incidents last year. Surf star and actor Tamayo Perry was killed in June last year after being mauled by a shark in Oahu, Hawaii. The Pirates of the Caribbean star, 49, had been surfing off the island's North Shore near Goat Island losing an arm and leg, and was tragically pronounced dead after lifeguards brought him to shore.
Australia comes second, with nine unprovoked attacks last year. The country, famed for its beaches and surfing, also counts all 13 shark species known to attack humans in its coastal waters. Last year, the country luckily recorded zero fatalities. That all changed however when a teenage girl was killed while swimming off Woorim Beach, north of Brisbane, earlier this month. Charlize Zmuda, 17, was attacked in the waters around Bribie Island, just off the mainland, receiving fatal injuries to her upper body.
