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June 14, 2025 3 mins
Across the United States this year, shark activity continues to attract public attention, especially as summer brings more people to the coasts. Florida, which remains the country’s leading state for shark attacks according to World Population Review, has already seen two bite incidents in 2025, both unprovoked but nonfatal. These occurred in popular surf zones where swimmers and surfers frequently mix with sharks in shallow waters. A third attack took place in North Carolina, again without fatal outcome. Hawaii’s only incident so far involved a shark tour company employee near Haleiwa on Oahu’s north shore. In that case, the diver was caught in a bait ball intended for shark viewing tourists and suffered an arm injury, but surgeons were able to save the limb. That incident has been categorized as a provoked attack, since the shark was intentionally drawn to the vicinity, highlighting ongoing debates about the safety and regulation of shark tourism activities.

Looking at recent history, 2024 saw a higher tally in the US, with thirty-six attacks nationwide and nineteen of those in Florida. Most were unprovoked and nonfatal, but there was one fatality in California and another in Hawaii. According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, worldwide shark attack numbers have remained relatively steady, with eighty-eight reported in 2024, though the US continues to lead globally in both total and nonfatal encounters.

Globally, Australia reports nine shark attack bites so far in 2025, with three resulting in fatalities. In one recent case, a Canadian tourist in Turks and Caicos lost both hands after attempting to photograph a shark in shallow water. Authorities there emphasized that this attack was provoked and urged visitors not to engage directly with marine life.

Recent studies point to several factors contributing to changing shark behavior and the rise in sightings near beachgoers. SI Yachts notes that human-driven habitat loss, ongoing shoreline development, and climate change are pushing sharks closer to areas where people swim and surf. Warming ocean temperatures and shifting prey patterns also play a role in altering traditional shark migration routes, sometimes resulting in unusual shark appearances in regions not accustomed to them.

In response, public safety measures are under constant review and expansion. Florida and Hawaii have bolstered beach patrols, posted signs at frequently visited beaches, and issued updated guidelines about avoiding swimming at dawn and dusk or in areas where sharks are actively feeding. Shark spotter programs, already common in Australia and South Africa, are being reassessed for broader implementation in popular US surf towns. Additionally, local governments regularly close beaches temporarily after confirmed sightings or attacks, and encourage the use of drone surveillance and real-time alerts to warn the public.

Authorities and researchers continue to stress that while shark attacks remain headline-worthy, the actual risk to individuals remains very low, and most incidents are nonfatal. Still, the importance of education and responsible behavior—such as not provoking or feeding marine life and heeding all posted warnings—remains central to keeping both humans and sharks safe as the season progresses.
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Episode Transcript

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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Across the United States this year, shark activity continues to
attract public attention, especially as summer brings more people to
the coasts. Florida, which remains the country's leading state for
shark attacks according to World Population Review, has already seen
two bite incidents in twenty twenty five, both unprovoked but

(00:20):
non fatal. These occurred in popular surf zones where swimmers
and surfers frequently mixed with sharks in shallow waters. A
third attack took place in North Carolina, again without fatal outcome.
Hawaii's only incident so far involved a shark tour company
employee near Halewa on O Wahu's north shore. In that case,

(00:41):
the diver was caught in a bait ball intended for
shark viewing tourists and suffered an arm injury, but surgeons
were able to save the limb. That incident has been
categorized as a provoked attack, since the shark was intentionally
drawn to the vicinity, highlighting ongoing debates about the safety
and regulation of shark tourism activities. Looking at recent history,

(01:02):
twenty twenty four saw a higher tally in the US,
with thirty six attacks nationwide and nineteen. Of those in Florida,
most were unprovoked and non fatal, but there was one
fatality in California and another in Hawaii, according to the
Florida Museum of Natural History. Worldwide shark attack numbers have
remained relatively steady, with eighty eight reported in twenty twenty four,

(01:26):
though the US continues to lead globally in both total
and non fatal encounters. Globally, Australia reports nine shark attack
bites so far in twenty twenty five, with three resulting
in fatalities. In one recent case, a Canadian tourist in
Turks and Caicos lost both hands after attempting to photograph
a shark in shallow water. Authorities there emphasized that this

(01:49):
attack was provoked and urged visitors not to engage directly
with marine life. Recent studies point to several factors contributing
to changing shark behavior and the rye in sightings near
beach goers. SI Yachts notes that human driven habitat loss,
ongoing shoreline development, and climate change are pushing sharks closer

(02:09):
to areas where people swim and surf, warming ocean temperatures
and shifting prey patterns also play a role in altering
traditional shark migration routes, sometimes resulting in unusual shark appearances
in regions not accustomed to them. In response, public safety
measures are under constant review and expansion. Florida and Hawaii

(02:31):
have bolstered beach patrols, posted signs at frequently visited beaches,
and issued updated guidelines about avoiding swimming at dawn and
dusk or in areas where sharks are actively feeding. Shark
spotter programs already common in Australia and South Africa, are
being reassessed for broader implementation in popular US surf towns. Additionally,

(02:53):
local governments regularly close beaches temporarily after confirmed sightings or attacks,
and encourage the use of drone surveillance and real time
alerts to warn the public. Authorities and researchers continue to
stress that while shark attacks remain headline worthy, the actual
risk to individuals remains very low and most incidents are

(03:14):
non fatal. Still, the importance of education and responsible behavior,
such as not provoking or feeding marine life and heating
all posted warnings, remains central to keeping both humans and
sharks safe as the season progresses.
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