After A fatal attack in northern NSW today, News reported this
April 08, 2008
SHARK attacks have killed 11 people over the past 50 years in Australia, according to the Shark Research Institute of Australia.
But while Australia is the second most likely country to witness a shark attack, after the United States, most attacks remain rare and not fatal.
In 2007, fatal shark attacks worldwide fell to their lowest levels in two decades, a report found.
According to the International Shark Attack File, produced by the University of Florida, there was just one recorded fatal shark attack in 2007 involving a swimmer in the South Pacific.
In Australia, 12 attacks were recorded that year, up from seven in 2006.
The last fatal shark attack in Australia was in January, 2006, when a woman was killed after being attacked by a shark off Amity Beach, on North Stradbroke Island in Queensland, according to Australia's Shark Research Institute.
Yet each year, thousands of Australians enjoy swimming in the country's coastal waters.
The last fatal shark attack in Sydney Harbour was in 1963, when actress Marcia Hathaway was taken in shallow waters.
And in Byron Bay, close to where a 16-year-old boy died today after being bitten by a shark, the last fatal attack was 25 years ago.
Shark experts say there are a number of ways swimmers can protect themselves from a shark attack. Their advice includes:
- Not swimming in known shark spots
- Not swimming in dirty water
- Not swimming with pets
- Not swimming at dusk or at night
- Not swimming near people fishing
- Leaving the water if schooling fish start to behave erratically
"a 16-year-old boy died today after being bitten by a shark"
At 16, what a tragedy, I really feel for his family and friends.
But I love the ocean, and nothing will keep me out.
I reackon if you've survived a drive to the beach the safest thing to do is get in and enjoy life. 
With all due respect to the young lad that was lost, I still believe the road is the most unsafe place we use daily.
Yeah pretty sad. As the water was dirty from stormwater runoff it was risky to go out. However risks are part of life.
I've been reading a book called Surfings Greatest Misadventures. There are a few shark stories in there and they are very scary.
