Florida remains a world leader in shark bites, even as the number of bites globally declines, according to a new report by the University of Florida鈥檚 International Shark Attack File.
Seventeen shark bites were reported last year in Florida. Volusia County led the way with seven, and Monroe County was a runner up with four.
Gavin Naylor of the International Shark Attack File describes the water off Ponce Inlet as a 鈥減erfect storm鈥� of surfers, bait fish and low visibility.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e a predator, and you see a potential food item you don鈥檛 tarry. You seize the opportunity very quickly and go for it.鈥�
Volusia鈥檚 number of shark bites tracked closely with Australia鈥檚, which had nine. But globally the number of bites was less than the annual average during the past decade. Naylor says it could be because of declining shark populations.
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