Shark fatality odds 2273-1

The odds of being attacked by a shark in WA are one in 2273, according to the US-based independent casino reviewer who has waded into the South West’s shark discussions.

Casino.org has compiled a list of statistics on shark attacks and shared the findings after reading the Times’ ongoing coverage on shark-related issues.

While not specialising in the topic, marketing executive Lisa Bennett said the company was “naturally interested in odds, in particular how they tie into our everyday lives”.

“Our content marketing ranges from the odds of a shark attack to your odds of seeing a UFO,” she said.

“We love creating pieces that often go against people’s preconceptions, such as the fact that you’re more likely to die in hospital than from a shark attack.”

The facts compiled by the company show Australians are at a higher risk of shark attack than South Africans, Brazilians, Kiwis and Americans.

The Torres Strait Islands is the most likely place in Australia to be attacked by a shark, followed by the Northern Territory, Queensland, then WA.

Those figures, however, do not factor in shark species, species population or population density. The deadliest species is the great white sharks, which have reportedly attacked humans 314 times, causing 80 fatalities.

Whites were followed by bull sharks, which attacked 100 times (27 fatal) and tiger sharks 111 times (31 fatal).

According to the company, for every human killed by a shark, humans kill about two million sharks. Another claim made is: “During your lifetime, you have a one in 63 chance of dying from the flu and a one in 3,700,000 chance of being killed by a shark.”

Ms Bennett said the company investigated reports dating back to 1900 from Australia, South Africa, Brazil, New Zealand and the US.

Casino.org told the Times the findings did not factor in the number of surf breaks in the South West compared to other areas of Australia, and the “beach culture” of each State and Territory.