With Bites Rare, Experts Want Sharks To Shed Scary Reputation

Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research at the University of Florida in Gainesville, says that while sharks sometimes bite people, such attacks are rare and the creatures generally try to avoid humans (Credit: AFP)

As the northern hemisphere edges toward spring and millions flock to the beach, headlines have dubbed the southeastern US state of Florida the world's most likely place to be bitten by a shark.

They're right, but, at the same time, shark bites are exceedingly rare overall -- a fact scientists wish more people knew, especially amid declining shark populations desperately in need of conservation.