World's Shark Attack Capital: Florida Recorded 16 Unprovoked Shark Bites in 2023

Once again, Florida has been dubbed the shark attack capital across the US and the world.

Last year, Florida was able to record 16 unprovoked shark bites, which are incidents wherein a shark bite happens without any human provocation. This figure makes up 44% of the total cases in the US and 23% of the global rates.

Florida: World's Shark Attack Capital

This title was revealed in the latest report from the ISAF (International Shark Attack File) of the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Based on the ISAF research, the diverse marine ecosystem and subtropical latitude of the state are factors that contribute to its popularity among sharks. These creatures navigate through waters of the continental shelf and feed on several fish types that dwell in these areas.

Volusia County, most especially the New Smyrna Beach area of the Atlantic Coast, is typically dubbed the world's shark capital. The area is known for its frequent waves that make it a surfer hotspot. Surfers who explore these waters typically find themselves in the same waters as sharks who feed.

Shark Encounters and Attacks

Generally, shark encounters are very rare. However, this is relatively less so in Florida, considering its beach popularity. Last year, a total of 135 million people visited Florida's beaches.

The ISAF report explained that when more attacks take place, this means that more people spend time in the water. These figures do not mean that sharks have turned more dangerous.

Regardless of what is usually shown in Hollywood, sharks do not usually attack people. Moreover, the shark attacks that happen are rarely fatal.

Most unprovoked shark attacks are usually test bites, which happens when sharks misidentify humans as the prey that they prefer. Gavin Naylor, the director of the Florida Museum of Natural History's Florida Program for Shark Research, said that when this takes place, sharks typically swim away after just one bite.

In 2023, there were 36 unprovoked bites in the US. This is slightly lower compared to the 41 that happened the year before.

More than half of the reported incidents in the world take place within the waters of the US. Australia comes second, having the second-highest unprovoked shark bite cases, amounting to 15. Four of these cases were found to be fatal.

Multiple incidents of shark bites have also been reported in Mexico, Brazil, Egypt, Bahamas, and Colombia, with some cases being fatal.

For 2023, the worldwide total of unprovoked shark bites reached a count of 69, with 14 of these resulting in fatalities. This marks a rise in the five-year yearly global average of six fatalities that are unprovoked each year.

On top of this, the report stressed activities that could typically result in shark bites. Roughly 42% of the cases were accounted for by surfers and individuals who take part in board sports.

Waders and swimmers were also found to make up 39% of the cases. Free divers and snorkelers accounted for 13%.

Officials of ISAF said that overall, the number of global unprovoked shark bites has remained very low.

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