Florida is renowned for its stunning beaches, balmy weather and heavy traffic. But what sets it apart from other states in the United States is its reputation as the shark-attack capital of the world. According to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File (ISAF), in 2023, Florida recorded the most unprovoked shark bites in the U.S., with a total of 16 confirmed cases, which accounted for 44% of the country’s total unprovoked shark bites.
Despite its high number of shark bites, it is important to note that these incidents are extremely rare worldwide. The ISAF report shows that Florida has consistently topped global charts for the number of shark bites, and in 2023, it was no exception. Unprovoked bites, as defined by the study, occur when a bite on a live human happens in the shark’s natural habitat with no provocation by the human.
In Florida, most unprovoked shark bites occurred in Volusia County, with Brevard and St. Lucie counties recording two each. Several other counties, including Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Escambia and Pinellas each reported one unprovoked shark bite. Hawaii followed closely behind with eight unprovoked shark bites in 2023, one of which was fatal.
The report also reveals that globally, surfers and those participating in board sports accounted for 42% of unprovoked shark bite cases. Swimmers and waders made up 39%, while snorkelers and free divers accounted for just 13%.
While the data may sound alarming at first glance, researchers emphasize that while there have been some incidents involving attacks on humans by sharks in Florida and elsewhere around the world, they remain extremely rare compared to other wildlife encounters. As such, it is essential to continue studying these incidents to better understand how to prevent them from occurring in the future.
