A geospatial analysis of shark attack rates for the east coast of Florida: 1994–2009

Abstract

Shark attacks have historically been studied from a viewpoint of encounter number per region and so limited to the areas in which the attacks occurred. In this exploratory modeling study, the goal was to examine whether an area-specific cluster analysis algorithm undertaken with a modern cluster analysis tool (SaTScan™ 9.1.0) could enhance our spatial and spatio-temporal understanding of attack patterns. The data used were from Florida's east coast between 1994 and 2009. The program suggests several high- and low-risk areas for shark attacks. The results are discussed from a quantitative rather than qualitative perspective.

Keywords:

• shark attack
• Florida
• geospatial
• cluster analysis
• SaTScan™

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the three anonymous reviewers and the editor for their valuable feedback. They also thank Martin Kulldorff for his assistance with the interpretation of the cluster analysis.