The number of worldwide shark attacks has hit a four-year low, though the amount of deaths that resulted from them have increased, NBC News reported.
According to George Burgess, who leads research on sharks at the University of Florida, ten people died in the 72 shark attacks that occurred in 2013.
The last time the amount of attacks were this low was in 2009, when the number was at 67. Since 2001, the only year the amount of deaths were higher was in 2011, with 13 people dead.
In the past three years, the deadliest areas have been Western Australia with six deaths and Reunion Island in the southwest Indian Ocean with five deaths.
Burgess claims we've seen an increase in shark attack deaths as more people are venturing into the ocean.
"When sudden increases in shark attacks occur, usually human factors are involved that promote interactions between sharks and people," he said.
"Sharks have a lot more to fear from us than we do from them," Burgess added. "Statistically, shark attacks are extremely rare, especially considering the number of humans that enter the water each year."
In the United States, a total of 47 attacks -- more than half of which took place in Florida -- occurred last year, down from 54 the previous year. The only death that resulted from last year's attack happened in Hawaii, when a man was bit while kayaking with his legs dangling in the water.
Burgess added that going in the ocean is a "wilderness experience," just like going for a hike in the woods where you could encounter other dangerous animals.
"One-on-one in the ocean, the shark has the advantage," Burgess said. "But, by better understanding where and when it is safe to be in the ocean, we can better avoid those encounters."
