Most of last summer was a slow news period so the media attempted to boost ratings by doing what the media does... hype and exaggerate news that will shock the viewer, facts be damned. The following is an excerpt from an article posted yesterday by Daily University Science News. Thought folks here would be interested in learning the facts after reading some of that hype that was forwarded to PaddleWise... Despite Hype, Number Of Shark Attacks Down In 2001 Despite Time magazine labeling it the "Summer of the Shark" and the prevailing perception that 2001 was a banner year for shark attacks, actual numbers were slightly down, a new University of Florida study shows. You can read the entire article (it's worth checking out) at: http://unisci.com/stories/20021/0220024.htm Cheers, jackie *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.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 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jackie Fenton" <jackie_at_muddypuppies.com> To: <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: Friday, February 22, 2002 4:07 AM Subject: [Paddlewise] Shark Attacks Down in 2001 snip > > You can read the entire article (it's worth checking out) at: > > http://unisci.com/stories/20021/0220024.htm > snip *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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 > > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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