Sharks often ignore humans swimming past them

A study conducted on great whites has found that the predators came within biting distance of human beings on 97 per cent of surveyed days in the Pacific Ocean but did not attack at all.

Patrick Rex, who led the study for California State University Long Beach, said: "The juveniles were often observed within 50 yards of where the waves break, putting surfers in close proximity.

"Most of the time water users didn't know the sharks were there."

Marine biology professor Christopher Lowe believes that the findings could change how people perceive the risk of sharing the water with sharks.

He said: "People will be shocked by these findings."

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