George Burgess

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — George Burgess, director of the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida, looks through a shark’s jaws on Feb. 17, 2009. Shark attacks worldwide in 2008 dipped to their lowest level in five years, according to statistics released Feb. 19, 2009. Burgess said he believes the recession may be putting a damper on people’s vacation trips to the beach and contributing to the decline. The number of attacks also dropped in the United States from the previous year, although the number remained at the same level in Florida.

(University of Florida/Kristin Nichols)
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