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Shark Attacks Up, Deadly Attacks Down

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Feb 12, 2008 1:25 pm US/Eastern

Shark Attacks Up, Deadly Attacks Down

GAINESVILLE (CBS4) ― More people may have been bitten by sharks in 2007, but for the first time in more than 20 years there was only one fatality.

According to the University of Florida's International Shark
Attack File, the number of shark attacks increased from 63 in 2006 to 71 in 2007, however the only fatal attack occurred on a swimmer in th South Pacific.

The group's director, George Burgess, says the last time there was only one fatal shark attack over the course of the year was in 1985. The only exception was 1987 when there were no deadly attacks. By comparison, there were four deaths each in 2005 and 2006, and seven in 2004.

Volusia County continues its dubious distinction as the world's shark bite capital with 17 attacks, its highest yearly total since 2002.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

© MMIX, CBS Television Stations Inc. All Rights Reserved.