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The White Shark, more commonly referred to as the "Great White," has been reported to be involved in more attacks on humans than any other shark.
Fossil remains suggest the Great White dates back to the early Eocene eras, which lasted from about 56 to 34 million years ago.

Mature males reach an average size of 10.5 feet while females can average 14 feet. Active during daytime hours, Great Whites feed on marine animals - they don't like sea birds or sea otters particularly. It's thought that they attack humans when they mistake diver and surfer silhouettes in the water during approaching from below the surface of the water. An alternative theory has also been suggested that Great Whites attack unfamiliar objects to test their potential as food. If true, that would help explain their involvement over the years in myriad hit-and-run attacks near beaches.

Not very much is known about the size of the great white's total population. Described as a slow-growing animal with low fertility rates, the Great White is considered at risk of overfishing.

Tiger Shark

According to theInternational Shark Attack File, the Tiger shark ranks No. 2 behind the white shark in the number of reported attacks on humans. The shark-monitoring group notes that the animal's "large size and voraciousness" qualify it as a formidable ocean predator. Surfers and swimmers need to know that Tiger sharks tend to be both curious and aggressive when they spot humans in the water.

Shortfin Mako

Powerful, fast and aggressive, the Shortfin Mako has been blamed for many reported shark attacks on humans. In more than a few cases, also blame human error as fisherman have been known to get injured after dragging hooked makos into their boats.
The Shortfin Mako is believed to be the fastest of any shark, able to swim up to 20 miles per hour. Prior to attacks, the sharks tend to swim in figure eight patterns and approach their prey with mouths open. The popularity of Mako meat in shark fin soup has reduced their populations; the World Conservation Union has listed the Shortfin mako as "Near Threatened."

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Swimmers, Surfers and Divers Need to Pay Special Attention to these Five Species

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Elio, 13, was killed by an 8 foot bull shark while surfing at Cap Homard two weeks ago, on the west coast of the island paradise.

Since 2011 there have been 16 shark attacks, 7 of which have been fatal including the death of a 15-year-old girl in 2013, which prompted the government to impose a ban on bathing and surfing unsupervised along more than half of the island's coastline.

The attacks have devastated the island's economy as surf shops have been forced to close causing a 13 per cent drop in leisure tourism.

Rival holiday destinations in the region such as Mauritius and the Maldives have benefited from these shark attacks as more tourists visit these islands on a yearly basis.

Experts have tried to come up with a reason for the rise in shark attacks with some claiming the opening of a marine reserve in 2007 which was intended to boost the biodiversity of the coral in the area coupled with a fishing restriction in the area has led to an increase of prey for the sharks.

Other experts believe urbanisation is the root cause of the shark problem.

The increased levels of wastewater flowing in to the sea as a result of rising urbanisation on the island has created the perfect conditions for the bull sharks as they thrive in murky water.

Surfers and bodyboarders have called for more action to be taken to make the waters safer for humans.

Marine biologist Antonin Blaison said: "we will have to change our ways to account for the sharks' presence".

With no real plan of action and the tourism industry on the island continuing to plummet, Reunion's government may have to refocus their efforts on promoting the islands land attractions which boasts 91 different species of birds and a host of exotic animals.

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Rise in shark attacks scares tourists away from paradise isle of Reuni

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A RISE in fatal shark attacks off the coast of Reunion Island including the death of rising surf star, Elio Canestri, has stopped surfers from visiting the French territory.