Dropin #3

Sharks

 

  

 

Introduction:

Sharks are the number one predator of the oceans.  Some sharks are fierce predators, and would be happy to eat you if they encountered you. Almost any shark six feet or longer is a potential danger, but three species have been identified repeatedly in attacks: the Great White Shark, the Tiger Shark and the Bull Shark. All three live world wide, reach large sizes and eat large prey such as marine mammals or sea turtles. But most sharks never grow longer than five feet and never even see anyone with legs and arms anyway. People kill thousands more sharks every year than sharks kill people.

 

Problem:

Have you ever seen the movie Jaws and then gone to the beach and feel very reluctant to go pouncing around in the waves.  There are many movies about sharks that give this wonderful creature such a bad reputation.  Don’t get me wrong, they are an animal that deserves respect, but they should not ruin your summer vacation.  It is your job to gather as much useful information as possible to answer concerned citizens’ questions from around the world about sharks and shark attacks.  

 

Activity:

You are a member of an international group that strives to promote the positive image of the shark.  Go to The International Shark Attack File: Statistics and answer the following questions from the concerned citizens worldwide. 

 

Phil (Flagler Beach, FL, USA) – I was wondering what was the average number of shark attacks in my state in the past 10                                           years from (1992-2002)?

 

Sally (Sydney, Australia) – What percentage of worldwide shark attacks were in Australia?

 

Zack (Christchurch, NZ) – Which country had the largest number of fatal shark attacks since 1990?

 

Harry (Oahu, HA, USA) – Which year had the greatest number of shark attacks?

 

Sue (Johannasburg, SA) – Which state in the United States are you most likely to be attacked by a shark?

 

Henry - Which country are you most likely to die from a shark attack?

 

Rick-  What is the average number of fatal attacks since 1990?

 

Tony-  What is the average number of shark attacks since 1990?