Posted by 
The sea off one Australian state has become the world's hotspot for deadly shark attacks, according to new international research.
There was a global rise in shark maulings last year, but a disproportionate number happened in Australia, the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File found.
The 10 fatal attacks across the world last year were double the number from the previous year.
READ MORE: King Charles diagnosed with cancer
Four of last year's fatalities happened in Australia.
Three of the fatalities in Australia occurred in South Australia in waters around the Eyre Peninsula, widely known as a habit for the great white shark.
The latest was in December, when 15-year-old Khai Cowley died at Yorke Peninsula's Ethel Beach after being attacked by a white pointer while surfing.
The tragedy came after deadly maulings in May and October.
The other fatal shark attack in Australian waters was a 16-year-old girl killed by a bull shark in a river in Perth, Western Australia.
"Australia's total of 15 unprovoked incidents is in line with the five-year annual average of 15 incidents for the region," the study said.
"Seven of these occurred in western Australia, one of which was fatal (bull shark), and five bites occurred in South Australia, three of which were fatal (all white sharks).
"One bite was recorded for Queensland, for New South Wales, and for Tasmania over the year."
The United States topped the unprovoked shark attack table with 32 incidents, of which two were fatal.
The study, the world's only scientifically documented, comprehensive database of known attacks, found surfers experienced 42 per cent of bites worldwide, ahead of swimmers and waders at 39 per cent.
The vast majority of unprovoked attacks were test bites, which occur when a shark misidentifies a human for their preferred prey, such as a seal.
When this happens, the shark will typically swim away after a single bite.
READ MORE: Sydney shark attack victim shares gratitude for rescuers
But some species, such as great whites sharks, are large enough that even a single bite can be fatal.
The danger of shark attacks in Australian inland and harbour waters grabbed headlines last week when Sydney woman Lauren O'Neill was attacked and left with serious injuries while taking an evening swim in the city's harbour.
In a statement, she said a full recovery was "likely", due to the quick response from emergency services, bystanders and hospital staff.
