Shark bites in Australia are increasing and researchers want to know why

Data collected includes shark species, environmental conditions — and even what the victims were wearing or doing

Mick Fanning of Australia is attacked by a shark at the Jbay Open in Jeffrerys Bay, South Africa in 2015. Picture: WSL/Getty Images

A new dataset on shark incidents in Australia stretching back to 1791 has found an increase in reported attacks, especially in recent decades, but researchers caution changes in the frequency and manner of reports need to be considered when examining the data.

The aim of the study, released by researchers at Taronga Zoo and Flinders University, is to better understand the factors that go into shark attacks to help authorities and experts mitigate and respond to incidents.