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Shark bite rates along the US Gulf coast: A first investigation
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Shark bite rates along the US Gulf coast: A first investigation

Raid W. Amin, Erich K. Ritter and Bethany A. Bonell
Environmental sciences (Ruse), Vol.6(1)
2018

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Abstract

The Gulf of Mexico is recognized as being home to all the shark species commonly involved in incidents with humans. SatScanTM, a spatial and spacetime statistical tool, was used to determine high-risk and low-risk clusters of bite rates caused by these species along the US Gulf of Mexico coast. The in-existence of any significant high-risk clusters along the coast suggests low shark densities in these waters. Overfishing is probably the most limiting factor but other anthropogenic influences, like altering or destroying shore areas which are commonly used for nursery grounds by these species, may also contribute to the overall low densities. However, each incident is also an independent event of a shark's decision-making to either proceed or abort an encounter before making human contact. Whenever discussing factors influencing shark bite rates, decision making by an individual shark should be part of it.
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