![]() Many marine animals have well-documented lunar-associated rhythms in their movements, reproduction, abundance, and catch rates. ![]() The behavior of many animal species has been linked to phases of the moon. The findings presented here provide global evidence that shark attacks may be related to moon phase, and such information could be useful toward evaluating attack risk and developing recommendations for water-based recreational activities. Specifically, all the instances of more shark attacks than expected occurred at lunar illumination >50%, while all the instances of fewer shark attacks than expected occurred at lunar illumination of <50%. From 12 relationships that we tested (totaling 120 comparisons), we found 12 significant outcomes, of which five were positive (i.e., more attacks than expected) and seven were negative (i.e., fewer attacks than expected). We examined factors of geography, shark species, and outcome of attack. We used nearly 50 years of shark attack data from across the globe to test for a relationship between shark attacks and moon phase. Few studies have looked at a possible connection between moon phase and shark attacks on humans, and the results have been preliminary or lacking relationships. 4Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United StatesĪnimals across taxa have shown behaviors linked to moon phase (or the proxy of lunar illumination), and marine organisms are well-documented to calibrate certain activities with the moon.3Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States.2Florida Program for Shark Research, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States. ![]() 1Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Graduate Program, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States. ![]()
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