6 Shark Attacks Reported Along Pacific Coast In '14; All In California
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — All six unprovoked shark attacks on humans last year along the Pacific Coast occurred in California, according to researchers.
KNX 1070's Claudia Peschiutta reports findings from the Shark Research Committee found 4 of the attacks took place off the coast of Santa Barbara County, while the remaining two were reported in San Luis Obispo County.
Three victims in the attacks - most of which occurred in October - were surfers, while a Great White shark was either positively identified or highly suspected in all of the incidents, according to researchers.
The attacks brought the total number of attacks reported since 2000 to 83 and marked a jump of almost three times the annual average of just over two reported shark attacks per year during the period 1950 through 1999.
Ralph Collier, president of the Shark Research Committee, said much of the increase can be attributed to more people spending more time in the ocean.
"To only have a few attacks is really quite remarkable," said Collier.
Nearly one month into 2015, there have already been two reported shark sightings in Manhattan Beach and one reported at Surfer's Point in Ventura, according to the Committee.