Shark Attack - "Shark Attacks Plummet Globally as U.S. Sees Dramatic Decline"

Recent months have seen a notable decrease in shark attacks around the world, with particular attention on the United States where, as reported by the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File, there were 28 confirmed unprovoked bites in 2024. That represents about sixty percent of the global total and continues a long-standing trend of the US leading in these incidents. Florida once again led the nation in shark encounters, accounting for half of all US incidents, with Volusia County alone responsible for the majority of bites in the state. Despite this, the number of cases in Florida was below the recent five-year average, which experts believe is due to an exceptionally calm year. Other states reporting shark bites included Hawaii, Texas, California, South Carolina, and North Carolina, with only one fatality recorded nationwide, which occurred in Hawaii.

In 2025, the trend of lower attack numbers has largely continued. As of late May, there have been twenty-one reported shark bites worldwide, with only two confirmed in the US—one in Florida and one in Hawaii. The Florida incident was unprovoked and nonfatal, while the Hawaii event involved an employee of a shark tour company and was classified as provoked, as the shark was attracted by bait used for tourism purposes. Both victims survived and received prompt medical treatment. No attacks have been reported this year in other traditionally higher-incident states like California, Texas, or the Carolinas.

Outside the US, notable recent incidents include a tourist in Turks and Caicos who suffered severe hand injuries after trying to photograph a shark in shallow water and several fatal encounters in Australian waters. Australian authorities have responded by increasing safety signage, issuing regular advisories, and urging swimmers to stay out of the water during known feeding times or when large schools of bait fish are present.

In the US, local governments and beach authorities continue to implement a range of public safety measures. These include increased aerial surveillance, use of drones to monitor nearshore shark activity, and temporary beach closures following credible sightings or bites. Educational outreach for residents and visitors emphasizes avoiding swimming at dusk or dawn, steering clear of large fish schools, and not wearing shiny jewelry that could attract sharks. The National Weather Service and local lifeguards often post warning flags and public address alerts when sharks are detected offshore.

Experts from Phys.org and the Florida Museum stress that although shark attacks make headlines, the actual risk remains extremely low. The lower incident rate in 2024 and so far in 2025 suggests no increase in aggressive shark behavior but rather reflects a combination of environmental factors, changes in human beach use patterns, and effective public awareness campaigns. Researchers continue to track shark migration and feeding trends, and ongoing studies point to habitat changes and climate shifts as driving sharks closer to shore in some regions, though most encounters still appear to be cases of mistaken identity rather than deliberate attacks. Beachgoers are advised to stay informed about local conditions and to heed posted warnings for their own safety and that of the marine environment.