Re: [Paddlewise] Shark Attacks Down in 2001

From: Jackie Fenton <jackie_at_muddypuppies.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2002 17:11:54 -0800 (PST)
Surprised?  Surprised at what?  That a heaping _four_ kayakers 
worldwide were included in the figures vs 35 surfers worldwide?

A more significant comparison would be to compare percentage of 
attacks with those participating in that sport worldwide... over 
several decades (including variables such as whether the kayaker 
was fishing, paddling around a seal rookery, provoked/unprovoked, 
etc).  But because shark attacks are so rare, even when adding up 
decades, scientists can't get any real meaning from the figures.  
And so far, volunteers for test studies have been rare as hens' teeth.

I suppose any set of numbers can be sensationalized if one is so
inclined... "KAYAKERS MAKE TOP FOUR SHARK-ATTACK CATEGORIES!"
wow... Now THAT's a headline! :-)  

However, it won't do during the years where there are zero attacks 
on kayakers... 8-J hmmmm... how about "KAYAKERS TERRORIZE SHARKS!"

Jackie

> From: "Craig MacKinnon" <elroca_at_earthlink.net>
> 
> I'm surprised to see that kayakers made it into the top four categories on
> the hit list, from the article:
> 
> "Surfers were the most frequent victims (35 incidents) followed by swimmers
> and waders (21), divers and snorkelers (11) and kayakers (4)."
> 
> 
> Craig

> From: "Jackie Fenton" <jackie_at_muddypuppies.com>
> 
> snip
> >
> > You can read the entire article (it's worth checking out) at:
> >
> > http://unisci.com/stories/20021/0220024.htm
> >
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Received on Sat Feb 23 2002 - 09:02:10 PST

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