Florida Shark Attacks Down For 4th Year

GAINESVILLE (CBS4) - Just in time for South Florida's summer beach season here's a comforting thought; in 2010, for the fourth straight year in a row, the number of shark attacks in Florida was down.

According to the University of Florida's International Shark File report, which was released Monday, there were only 13 reported incidents last year; well below the yearly average of 23 attacks over the past decade.

Florida usually tops the list of shark attacks, according to UF shark expert George Burgess who said last year there were 36 attacks in the U.S. including five in North Carolina and four each in California, Hawaii and South Carolina.

Worldwide, 79 shark attacks were reported in 2010, the highest number since 2000. There were six shark fatalities worldwide.

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