have to agree with Rob. Once you enter into the ocean you become part of the food chain, while this is rare, it is not unexpected. It is also not the sharks fault.
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patric douglas, San Diego, USA

I think its our fault.
if we dont want to be killed by sharks, dont swim in their territory. we act like its all their fault. WHAT BULLY SHARKS. um, no.humans live on land, and sharks in the sea. the second we imtrude into THEIR domain, we're voluntarily putting ourselves at risk.

deejay, san fran, US

Bottom line: If you come to my house for dinner - you eat what I cook. If you go to a shark’s home - YOU may be mistaken for dinner. It's not a country club swimming pool - respect the fact that it is their home and their rules, not yours. The risks are minimal, but there is a risk.

Rob, Los Angeles, USA

Why is a sand tiger (or raggy as you Aussies like to call 'em) used for this image? You'd think The Times would at least make the effort to use an image of a shark that is actually known to have dined on people before.

Oscar, London, UK

i drive to the beach to surf. But i wear my seat belt. I don't smoke but my diet consists of a lot of red meat. I fly on Southwest four times a week, and live near a fault line. I'm 28. What are my weekly odds of survival? Will i live longer if i stay home?

Killah Kali, Los Angeles, CA,

Well put Michael. It's pretty hard to get attacked by a shark if you don't go in the ocean so clearly those stats are worthless.

Kevin , Boulder, USA

In Australia, since records began 200 years ago, shark attack statistics have barely changed - 9-13 attacks a year and 1.2 fatalities. Population, meanwhile, has increased from 4 million to 21 + 4 million tourists and we now have wetsuits, surf boards and spend more time in the sea.

Beverley Hadgraft, Sydney, Australia

The article states that for every 280 million people who swim in the ocean each year, 1 will be killed. That is not misleading.

nick, bellingham,

The statistics are misleading. Everyone gets in cars daily so they are all at risk. Only a small fraction of people swim in the ocean. Only the number of people that swim in the ocean should be counted not the entire population since many don't swim. The risk is much higher than stated.

michael, wilkes-barre,

Must be due to global warming. Everything else is.

Mike Poulsen, Reading, Berkshire

In the 70's shark net were "de rigeur" at beaches where there were considered risks of shark attacks. I would carry a "powerhead" spear for defensive purposes when Scuba diving on Aussie Pacific, and quite happily swam amongst sharks.

We live in foolish times.

Richard, Bucharest,

I agree with Brian. I live on the so cal coast and surf at least two times a week. What are my odds? I'm guessing not as good!

Jason, San Diego, USA

This comparison is including the entire population. Including people who have never seen the ocean. How about a study narrowing the population down to people who surf or swim in the ocean at least 1xper week. This comparison made here is innacurate and impertinent.

BRIAN SIMPSON, Marina, USA

I think there should be NO MORE SURFING where there is alot of sharks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hannah , orlando, florida

More shark attacks are on the cards since global warming, overfishing and many other factors are now impacting. You only have to research the missing people toll from coastal locations and discover that body parts are often found either washed up or retrieved at sea.

RIC D.T. WILSON, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA