Fins up: Are shark attacks increasing? Here's what recent data shows.
Why are people so fascinated with sharks? Perhaps it's the mixture of fascination, terror and respect for their strength. As one of the world's top predators, sharks are both dangerous and beautiful while being essential to marine environments, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Sanctuaries.
As the ocean's top predators, sharks maintain their balance by feeding on sick, weak, or overabundant animals, including fish, marine mammals and other ocean life, according to NOAA.
Despite their terrifying reputation, only three of the 350-plus shark species are thought to be responsible for roughly two-thirds of all shark attacks, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
How common are shark attacks?
You're far more likely to be struck by lightning than to be attacked by a shark. Shark attacks are considered extremely rare. The Florida Museum, a state natural history museum, puts the odds of being attacked by a shark at 1 in 11.5 million, while the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are 1 in 1.2 million, according to NOAA.
TrackingSharks says eight shark attacks occurred as of July 7 in five states: Florida, Hawaii, North Carolina, New York and South Carolina. In 2024, there were 28 shark attacks in the United States, down from 36 in 2023. Since 2021, shark attacks have been on the decline.
More: 'Jaws' scared swimmers out of the ocean 50 years ago. Real locations of Amity's terror
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According to data released by the International Shark Attack File, 2024 was an "exceptionally quiet year" for shark bites around the world. Forty-seven unprovoked attacks were reported globally. That was 22 fewer than 2023 and well below the 10-year average of 70. On average, six fatal attacks are reported each year.
The shark species most frequently linked to attacks
These are the five shark species most often cited in nonfatal unprovoked attacks on humans:
More: Summer of 'Jaws': Shark Week 2025 stocked with drama, dread ... and dancing
The U.S. leads the world in shark attacks
According to the International Shark Attack File, the majority of the U.S. incidents occur off the coast of Florida. That might be too surprising considering that Florida has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States.
How to reduce your risk of an attack
CONTRIBUTING Doyle Rice, Natalie Neysa Alund/USA TODAY
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