Expert Predicts Increase in Shark Attacks This Year, but There’s Still More Reason to Fear Pretty Much Everything Else

Beach season has arrived, which means its time to stock up on sunscreen, flip-flops, and a heightened awareness of your own mortality.

The University of Florida’s George Burgess told Reuters that he predicts more shark attacks in 2016 than in previous years. Burgess is director of the university’s International Shark Attack File, so he should know.

“We should have more bites this year than last,” Burgess told Reuters.

Rising levels of shark-on-human aggression have been attributed to an increase in water temperatures (from El Niño and due to global warming), which leads people to want to swim more. Go figure.

In 2015, there were 98 reported shark attacks worldwide, resulting in six fatalities. There were 26 fewer attacks the previous year.

Reuters reports, “fatal shark attacks, while undeniably graphic, are so infrequent that beachgoers face a higher risk of being killed by sand collapsing as a result of overachieving sand castle builders.”

This is admittedly a less graphic scenario in that it’s difficult even to visualize. According to Yahoo News, though, the real danger is digging a giant sand hole that accidentally collapses on you. Anyway, be afraid.