Shark Attack - "Shark Attacks Plummet to Lowest Levels in 30 Years"

Shark attacks have remained remarkably low in 2025, continuing a trend seen last year when only 47 unprovoked attacks were recorded worldwide - the lowest level in almost 30 years. As of February 23, 2025, there have been 11 shark attacks globally, with five resulting in fatalities. Four of these incidents were classified as provoked attacks, where human behavior potentially triggered the shark's response.

In the United States, only one shark attack has been reported so far this year. The incident occurred on January 11 near Haleiwa on Oahu's north shore during a shark tour. An employee of the tour company became caught in a bait ball, resulting in a shark latching onto his forearm. Fortunately, doctors were able to save his arm, and he has retained feeling. This attack is classified as provoked since the sharks were deliberately attracted to the area with bait for tourist viewing.

More recently, on February 17, a Canadian tourist lost both hands to a six-foot shark at a beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands. According to government officials, the woman had attempted to engage with the shark from shallow waters to take photographs, waving her hands to attract it. The victim received immediate treatment and was transported off-island for surgery.

Looking back at 2024, Florida maintained its position as the shark attack capital of the United States with 19 reported incidents, followed by Texas and North Carolina with five attacks each. Hawaii recorded three attacks, one of which was fatal. California, typically known for its shark activity, reported just one attack last year.

The International Shark Attack File shows that the United States consistently leads the world in unprovoked shark bites, with Florida accounting for the majority of these incidents due to its extensive coastline and warm waters that bring humans and sharks into closer contact.

Beach authorities across coastal states are implementing various safety measures as summer approaches, including improved surveillance systems and sonar technology to detect sharks. In some areas, clever buoy systems using sonar to scan for sharks act as early warning devices for swimmers and surfers. Despite the fear these predators generate, experts remind us that shark attacks remain extremely rare compared to the millions of sharks killed by humans annually.