Humans to blame for increase in shark attacks worldwide

The number of shark attacks has increased by 10% across the world since 2000, because of human interference of the predatory fish, a new study has found.

Ninety eight attacks occurred worldwide, six of which were fatal in 2015, according to researchers from Bond University in Queensland, Australia.

Shark attacks happened mostly in the US, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, the Bahamas and Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean, Reunion The Sunday Times reported.

In 2014, Jay Muscat, a 17-year-old boy, was killed by a great white shark in Perth, Australia. He had been spearfishing with his friend Matt Pullella at Three Stripes – a popular site for the sport at Cheynes Beach, near Albany – when he was attacked by the shark at 12.20pm local time on Monday (29 December).

The teen was bitten on his leg and died of his injuries shortly after being transported back to shore by a passing fisherman. Pullella, who shot at the 4m-5m shark with his speargun, escaped injury.

Near Réunion, shark populations have soared due to an increase in scuba diving, and shark hunting bans leading to food shortages for sharks.

Pollution and dredging is also blamed for disrupting shark's feeding patterns and natural environment.

Twenty nine attacks have occurred off the British coast in the past 100 years.