How Many Shark Attacks Were There in 2012 in the Pacific Northwest USA?

Don’t listen to your friends, cousin, or the guy trying to keep you out of the lineup.

There likely wasn’t a shark attack at the beach where you surf (unless you live in Santa Barbara).

In fact, for all of 2012, there were only 8 authenticated unprovoked shark attacks in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S., reports Water Sports News.

There were 7 attacks, including the fatal case, in California. And there was 1 case in Oregon. The attacks happened in January (1), May (2), July (2) and October (3), dispelling the myth that sharks attack only in fall.

All the California shark attacks happened in or near Santa Barbara County. The shark attack in Oregon happened near Lincoln City.

Four of the victims were surfing including the fatal attack. Two were kayakers. One windsurfer. And unfortunately, only one stand up paddle boarder (joke).

Based on circumstantial evidence, there are a whole lot more attacks for our surfing brethren in Aus. and South Africa.