Global Shark Attacks Rise in 2025, Australia and US Witness Increased Incidents

Worldwide shark attacks saw a significant increase in 2025, with 65 unprovoked incidents reported compared to 47 in 2024, according to the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File. This figure surpasses the five-year average of 61 cases. Tragically, 12 fatalities were confirmed globally, nearly double the seven recorded in the previous year.

Australia Experiences Surge in Attacks and Fatalities

Australia recorded a particularly sharp increase in shark-related incidents, with 21 attacks and five fatalities in 2025. A particularly tragic event occurred in November near Crowdy Bay, New South Wales, where a bull shark attacked a couple swimming in the ocean, resulting in the death of a 20-year-old woman and serious injuries to a man.

United States Remains a Hotspot for Shark Encounters

The United States reported the highest overall number of attacks, with 25 cases – a slight decrease from the 28 recorded in 2024. One fatality occurred in December near Santa Cruz, California, when 55-year-old triathlete Erika Fox disappeared during a training session.

Florida Leads US in Shark Attacks

Within the United States, Florida experienced the highest number of shark attacks, with 11 incidents, including six in Volusia County on the Atlantic coast. Despite this, the state and county saw a slight decrease in assaults compared to previous years. California and Hawaii each reported four unprovoked attacks without any fatalities, while South Carolina recorded two, and New York, North Carolina, and Texas each had one.

Rare Shark Encounters and Species

The report likewise documented several unusual occurrences. In South Africa, a fisherman became the first recorded victim of a dusky shark attack. An incident in Israel, while fatal, was not included in the statistics as it was deemed provoked. Canada recorded its first unprovoked shark attack since 2021, with a great white shark biting a man’s stand-up paddleboard, though the man was unharmed.

The “Big Three” and Conservation Concerns

The majority of serious injuries are typically caused by the “big three” shark species: the great white shark, the tiger shark, and the bull shark. Despite these incidents, global shark populations remain significantly below historical levels due to overfishing.

Statistical Perspective and Safety

Despite the increase in attacks, the statistical probability of being bitten by a shark remains low. For comparison, over 4,000 people drown in the United States annually, and lightning strikes claim approximately 24,000 lives worldwide.