New data shows Florida retains title of ‘Shark Biting Capital of the World’

ORLANDO, Florida. – There were more reports of shark bites in Florida last year than anywhere else on Earth, according to the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File (ISAF).

In 2022, Florida had 16 cases of “unprovoked” attacks in 2020, accounting for 39% of total attacks in the US and 28% of unprovoked attacks worldwide.

ISAF defines unprovoked attacks as “incidents in which a live human bite occurs in the shark’s natural habitat without the shark provoking the human.”

As in previous years, Volusia County led the sunny state with seven shark bites, with other cases reported in Monroe, Martin, Nassau, Pinellas, Brevard and Palm Beach counties.

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University of Florida International Shark Attack File

The only fatal shark attack documented in the US was when a diver went missing on Keawakapu Beach in Hawaii. Researchers have confirmed 57 cases of shark bites worldwide, fewer than in recent years.

Trends show both fatal and non-fatal bites are decreasing, according to ISAF.

“It is likely that mortality has decreased because strict beach safety protocols have recently been introduced in some areas, especially in Australia,” said Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Shark Program at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

In contrast to previous years, the data shows that the majority of shark attacks occurred on swimmers and waders at 43%, compared to surfers and other water sports (35% of the total).

While there have been no deaths in Florida, some of the cases have affected children or changed their lives.

In August, 10-year-old Jameson Reeder Jr. had his leg amputated after he was attacked by a shark while snorkeling in the Florida Keys.

The 27-year-old woman was wading waist-deep in water on New Smyrna Beach in September when she was bitten, according to Volusia County Beach Lifeguards.

In December, a 10-year-old girl was hospitalized after being bitten on her leg on Hobe Sound Beach.

The annual report does not take into account attacks that “may have been caused by extenuating circumstances, such as fishing line abandoned in close proximity to the scene or the presence of chum salmon in the water,” the press release said.

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texasstandard.news contributed to this report.

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