Shark attacks peak on new moon

A new study reveals when you're most likely to get bitten

A new study reveals that sharks are more likely to attack humans during a new moon, and lists the conditions that prevail whenever shark attacks spike. 

The study was led by George Burgess, director of the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida, and is based on data over a 50-year period. 

According to his findings, attacks are more likely to happen on Sundays, under a full moon, in August, and people wearing black and white bathing suits appear to be most prone. 

It's thought that the spike occurs during a new moon because of the tidal effect on the fish that shark eat, while Sundays, and particularly Sundays in August, are more likely to be the times when humans are in the water and interacting in the shark’s environment.

The study focused on Volusia County in central Florida, a renowned hot spot for shark attacks on humans. Between 1996 and 2008, one in five of all attacks by sharks on the planet occurred there.

"Human, shark and environmental factors combine to create a perfect storm of favorable conditions in Volusia County for attacks, particularly near Ponce Inlet between Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach," said Burgess of his study.