So far in 2025, the United States has reported seven shark attack bites, with Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, New York, and Hawaii each recording at least one incident according to Tracking Sharks. None of the attacks in the US this year have resulted in fatalities, and only one was considered provoked, which happened in Hawaii during a shark tour off Oahu. In that case, a shark latched onto a diver's forearm after the presence of a bait ball drew several sharks into the area. The victim, an employee of the tour company, survived and retained feeling in his arm. This aligns with longstanding trends, as Hawaii typically sees a handful of shark incidents annually, ranking third in the nation behind Florida and California.Florida remains the perennial hotspot for shark encounters. Data from Live Now Fox shows the state has recorded 942 attacks since 1882, with New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County topping global charts for shark encounters. Most of the bites in Florida are minor and often caused by smaller sharks such as blacktip sharks, which are known to mistake swimmers’ limbs for bait fish. Only one unprovoked fatal shark attack occurred in the US in 2024, off the northwest coast of Oahu in Hawaii, involving a well-known local surfer and lifeguard.National data compiled by World Animal Foundation confirms the US consistently records the highest number of shark bites globally. In 2023, there were 36 unprovoked shark bites across the country, which accounted for more than half of the global total. The majority of these incidents occur in warm coastal states, particularly Florida, the Carolinas, California, and Hawaii.In the broader global context, Australia continues to report the highest number of attacks outside the US, with ten so far in 2025, including three fatal incidents. Other international hotspots include New Caledonia and the Turks and Caicos Islands, where recent fatal and severe attacks have been linked to activities such as spearfishing or approaching sharks in shallow water.Experts and local officials note that the rise in reported sightings and encounters is driven mainly by more people entering the water, improved reporting technology, and shifting ocean conditions rather than a surge in shark populations. Conservation successes have also contributed to healthier shark numbers near coastlines.To address and reduce future risk, beach communities across the US are deploying public safety measures such as shark warning systems, increased lifeguard patrols, drone surveillance, and public education campaigns. In areas like Volusia County, beachgoers are routinely reminded to avoid swimming during dawn or dusk, stay away from schools of fish, and heed flagged warnings. Further, many tour operators and local authorities have reinforced guidelines about not feeding or baiting sharks, which can increase risk. While the overall chance of a shark bite remains extremely low, these combined efforts aim to keep both the public and the shark populations safe.This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Ver todos los episodios