Sharks:
Half (51%) of Americans are Absolutely Terrified of Them and Many (38%) Scared to Swim in the Ocean Because of Them...

Washington DC - Though many Americans are terrified of them and scared to go into the water because of them, a majority believe sharks are vital for the ecosystem and should be protected from being hunted or killed unless absolutely necessary according to a new poll released today by Ipsos Public Affairs.

Against a backdrop of recent attacks by sharks making waves across the USA, the poll released today finds that half (51%) of Americans admit to being absolutely terrified of sharks and four in 10 (38%) say they're scared to swim in the ocean because they worry about sharks--but in spite of this, a significant majority (82%) agree Great White sharks perform a vital role for the ecosystem in our oceans and another three quarters (73%) believe sharks should be protected from being hunted or killed unless absolutely necessary.

Half (51%) are Absolutely Terrified of Sharks...

Half (51%) of Americans admit to being absolutely terrified of sharks of which 20% most definitely agree with this emotion compared with 45% who disagree (including 22% who most definitely disagree). Of those who are most likely to express the sentiment of being terrified, they are women (55%) compared to men (46%) and are older (55% aged 55+) compared to those who are younger (48% aged 18 - 34) and middle-aged (48% aged 35 - 54). Being terrified of sharks runs highest in the Northeast (55%) followed by those in the Midwest (51%) and West (50%) and the South (48%).

Many (38%) are Scared to Swim in the Ocean Because of Sharks...

Four in 10 (38%) of Americans indicate they are scared to swim in the ocean because they worry about sharks - however this is only comprised of 15% who most definitely identify with this view and another 23% who are "somewhat" sure this sentiment. This compares with 57% of Americans who disagree (34% most definitely) that they are scared to swim in the ocean because they worry about sharks. Women (41%/16% definitely) are most likely to admit being terrified followed by men (35%/13% definitely) and those most likely living in the West (41%/18%), Midwest (39%/15%), South (39%/12%) and the Northeast (33%/15%).

Despite Fears, a Majority (82%) Agree Great White Sharks Perform a Vital Role...

A significant majority of Americans (82%) agree that Great White sharks perform a vital role for the ecosystem in our oceans compared with just one in 10 (8%) who disagree. In fact, half (49%) definitely agree with this view followed by one third (33%) who somewhat agree with this perspective. Those most likely to believe that the Great White sharks are vital are women (83%) compared to men (79%) and those living in the Midwest/West (83%) followed by those in the South (81%) and the Northeast (79%). When it comes to a, there's virtually no differentiation: younger (83% aged 18 - 34) and middle-aged (83% aged 35 - 54) Americans are just slightly higher than those who are older (79% aged 55+) to agree with this view.

And a Majority (73%) Agree that Sharks Should be Protected...

Three quarters (73%) of Americans believe that sharks should be protected from being hunted or killed unless absolutely necessary - 42% most definitely agree with this view while 31% somewhat agree. Women (76% - 44% definitely) are more likely than men (69% - 39% definitely) to believe that sharks should be protected from being hunted were killed unless absolutely necessary and most likely living in the Northeast (75%/49%) followed by those in the West (74%/42%), the South (72%/39%) and the Midwest (70%/40%).

These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted June 3-8, 2015. For the survey, a sample of 1,006 adults, ages 18+ were interviewed online. The precision of the Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for all adults. For more information about credibility intervals, please see the appendix.

The data were weighted to the U.S. current population data by gender, age, education, and ethnicity. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Figures marked by an asterisk (*) indicate a percentage value of greater than zero but less than one half of one per cent. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding.

For more information on this news release please contact:

Chris Jackson Vice President Ipsos Public Affairs 202.420.2011 [email protected]

About Ipsos Public Affairs

Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. We conduct strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.

Ipsos has media partnerships with the most prestigious news organizations around the world. In Canada, the U.S., UK, and internationally, Ipsos Public Affairs is the media polling supplier to Reuters News, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Ipsos Public Affairs is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research company. We provide boutique-style customer service and work closely with our clients, while also undertaking global research.

To learn more visit: www.ipsos-na.com

About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. Ipsos ranks third in the global research industry.

With offices in 87 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across five research specializations: brand, advertising and media, customer loyalty, marketing, public affairs research, and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of e1,669.5 ($2,218.4 million) in 2014.

Visit www.ipsos.com to learn more about Ipsos' offerings and capabilities.