Shark Attack - Headline: Increased Shark Sightings Prompt Enhanced Beach Safety Measures Across the U.S.

A recent surge of shark activity across the United States is prompting heightened safety measures and renewed attention from both experts and beachgoers. In 2025, there have been seven reported shark bites in the US as of late June, with Florida, Hawaii, North Carolina, New York, and South Carolina all reporting incidents. None of these attacks have been fatal. Two bites occurred in Florida, which remains the state with the highest frequency of shark encounters, often attributed to its warm waters and thriving population of baitfish that attract predators close to shore. Hawaii reported one provoked incident involving a diver, while the beaches of North Carolina, New York, and especially South Carolina, including popular destinations like Hilton Head Island, have also seen bites. On Hilton Head, a spate of bites led officials to urge visitors to swim near lifeguards, avoid dawn and dusk swims, and heed warnings issued when active wildlife is spotted, as this is when sharks are most likely to be hunting according to warnings provided by local beach officials and marine specialists.

On June 25, Long Island, New York, experienced a suspected shark bite at Jones Beach, where a 20-year-old woman sustained minor injuries from what experts believe was a juvenile sand tiger shark. Following this, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced increased air and sea patrols, deploying more drones and helicopters than ever before, and extending marine boat patrols to keep the public safe. Following a press conference, he even took a swim to demonstrate his confidence in the safety protocols now in place. These measures reflect a growing use of technology to monitor shark presence, with lifeguards and law enforcement using drones, helicopters, and boats to survey the water for sharks and alert swimmers to any potential threats.

Elsewhere, on June 10 offshore of Panama’s Azero Peninsula, a dramatic incident occurred where a great white shark attacked an oil rig, injuring nine workers in a rare display of coordinated aggression. This led the oil industry to overhaul inspection and emergency procedures, with a particular focus on understanding how artificial structures might create territories for large sharks. Marine biologists believe the rig’s artificial reef environment—crowded with fish—effectively turned it into a hunting ground for the great white shark involved in the attack.

According to data and insights from Florida Atlantic University professor Stephen Kajiura and the International Shark Attack File, most shark bites in the US involve species such as blacktip, spinner, and sand tiger sharks, especially in shallow waters where both baitfish and people congregate. These sharks are generally juveniles learning to hunt, and most encounters are considered unprovoked. Activities like surfing, bodyboarding, and swimming in murky water increase exposure risk, but the overwhelming majority of attacks are not fatal, with injuries often limited to extremities like toes or calves.

Despite the increase in public attention, experts emphasize that shark attacks remain exceedingly rare. The odds of being killed by a shark in the United States are approximately one in 4.3 million. Current safety advisories recommend swimming in groups, avoiding periods when sharks are most active, staying clear of fishing activity, and not wearing bright clothing or jewelry that can catch a shark’s eye. As summer continues and millions flock to the coast, the message from both officials and marine scientists is one of caution and vigilance—not fear—with ongoing updates to safety protocols intended to keep beaches welcoming and secure for everyone.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
A recent surge of shark activity across the United States
is prompting heightened safety measures and renewed attention from both
experts and beachgoers. In twenty twenty five, there have been
seven reported shark bites in the US as of late June,
with Florida, Hawaii, North Carolina, New York, and South Carolina
all reporting incidents. None of these attacks have been fatal.

(00:24):
Two bites occurred in Florida, which remains the state with
the highest frequency of shark encounters, often attributed to its
warm waters and thriving population of baitfish that attract predators
close to shore. Hawaii reported one provoked incident involving a diver,
while the beaches of North Carolina, New York, and especially
South Carolina, including popular destinations like Hilton Head Island, have

(00:48):
also seen bites. On Hilton Head, a spate of bites
led officials to urge visitors to swim near lifeguards, avoid
dawn and dusk swims, and heed warnings issued when active
wildlife is spot as this is when sharks are most
likely to be hunting. According to warnings provided by local
beach officials and marine specialists. On June twenty fifth Long Island,

(01:10):
New York, experienced a suspected shark bite at Jones Beach,
where a twenty year old woman sustained minor injuries from
what experts believe was a juvenile sand tiger shark. Following this,
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced increased air and sea patrols,
deploying more drones and helicopters than ever before and extending

(01:32):
marine boat patrols to keep the public safe. Following a
press conference, he even took a swim to demonstrate his
confidence in the safety protocols now in place. These measures
reflect a growing use of technology to monitor shark presence,
with lifeguards and law enforcement using drones, helicopters, and boats
to survey the water for sharks and alert swimmers to

(01:54):
any potential threats elsewhere. On June tenth, offshore of Panama's
At Zero Peninsula, a dramatic incident occurred where a great
white shark attacked an oil rig, injuring nine workers in
a rare display of coordinated aggression. This led the oil
industry to overhaul inspection and emergency procedures, with a particular

(02:15):
focus on understanding how artificial structures might create territories for
large sharks. Marine biologists believe the rig's artificial reef environment,
crowded with fish, effectively turned it into a hunting ground
for the great white shark involved in the attack. According
to data and insights from Florida Atlantic University professor Stephen

(02:38):
Kagura and the International Shark Attack File, most shark bites
in the US involve species such as black tip, spinner
and sand tiger sharks, especially in shallow waters where both
baitfish and people congregate. These sharks are generally juveniles learning
to hunt, and most encounters are considered unprovoked. Activities like surfing,

(02:59):
body boarding, and swimming in murky water increase exposure risk,
but the overwhelming majority of attacks are not fatal, with
injuries often limited to extremities like toes or calves. Despite
the increase in public attention, experts emphasize that shark attacks
remain exceedingly rare. The odds of being killed by a
shark in the United States are approximately one in four

(03:23):
point three million. Current safety advisories recommend swimming in groups,
avoiding periods when sharks are most active, staying clear of
fishing activity, and not wearing bright clothing or jewelry that
can catch a shark's eye. As summer continues and millions
flock to the coast, the message from both officials and
marine scientists is one of caution and vigilance, not fear,

(03:46):
with ongoing updates to safety protocols intended to keep beaches
welcoming and secure for everyone