Are the feds to blame for increased numbers of shark attacks?? ” In a curious juxtaposition of trends, shark attacks last year reached record levels in the world (79), in the U.S. (49), and in Florida (34 documented cases) ? even as scientists and government officials are claiming that the animals are being chased toward extinction by fishermen looking for thrill kills. And shark attacks in the U.S. have increased dramatically since 1993 ? which is when the federal government began mandating deep cuts in the number of sharks that could be caught for sport or profit.” National Review