Final answer:
Fatal shark attacks are extremely rare with an average of one death every two years. Most shark attacks are cases of mistaken identity and humans represent a bigger threat to sharks. Measures to improve safety and conservation efforts have helped reduce these incidents.
Step-by-step explanation:
While shark encounters can provoke fear and capture public attention, it's important to understand that fatal shark attacks are exceptionally rare. The International Shark Attack File (ISAF) monitors and investigates all reported shark attacks worldwide and provides annual statistics. According to their data, there is roughly one fatal shark attack every two years. However, the probability can vary depending on several factors such as geographic location, the number of people in the water, and measures taken to prevent shark attacks.
Sharks do not typically prey on humans. Most shark attacks on humans are identified as cases of mistake identity, where a shark mistakes a human for its usual prey due to poor visibility or other factors. Additionally, conservation efforts and improved beach safety measures have helped to reduce the frequency of these incidents. It's valuable to consider that humans pose a greater threat to sharks than they do to us, with millions of sharks killed by humans every year for their fins and as bycatch in fishing operations.