U.S. and Australian Residents Record the Highest Number of Shark Bites

The United States and Australia again recorded the highest number of unprovoked shark bites worldwide in 2025, even as the global total returned to its long-term average, according to the annual report from the International Shark Attack File managed by the Florida Museum of Natural History.

The report documented 65 unprovoked shark bites globally in 2025, slightly below the 10-year average of about 72 cases per year. Of those incidents, the United States accounted for approximately 38 percent, while Australia ranked second and recorded the highest number of fatalities. Nine deaths were reported worldwide, exceeding the recent annual average of six over the past decade.

Gavin Naylor, director of the International Shark Attack File, said in the museum’s official release that annual fluctuations are common in long-term datasets. “This year’s total falls within the normal range when compared to historical averages,” Naylor said, n a statement released on February 18, 2026 . He noted that although the United States continues to record the largest share of cases in absolute numbers, its proportion of the global total declined compared with recent years.

How Shark Bite Data Are Verified

The data are compiled and verified through direct investigation of each reported incident. Researchers review medical records, interview witnesses, examine official reports and conduct scientific assessments to determine whether an incident qualifies as unprovoked or provoked. An unprovoked bite is defined as an incident in which a shark bites a person in its natural habitat without prior human interaction, such as fishing or attempting to handle the animal.

Most incidents occurred in nearshore waters, particularly when victims were swimming, surfing or engaging in other recreational water activities. In the United States, Florida recorded the highest number of cases, followed by other Atlantic and Pacific coastal states. Australia reported fewer total incidents than the United States but accounted for more than half of the global fatalities in 2025.

Why the U.S. and Australia Lead in Cases

Researchers emphasize that higher numbers in these countries do not necessarily indicate more dangerous waters. Instead, the figures reflect population size, the extent of coastal recreation and robust reporting systems. Both countries have long coastlines and large populations that regularly use marine environments year-round, increasing the likelihood of human-shark encounters.

The coastal waters of the United States and Australia are also home to several large shark species most commonly involved in bite incidents, including great white sharks, bull sharks and tiger sharks. These species frequently patrol shallow coastal areas where swimmers and surfers are present.

Public curiosity often centers on which country has the most shark bite victims, a question that resurfaces each time annual statistics are released. The data consistently identify the United States and Australia, but researchers stress that this reflects exposure levels rather than an increase in shark aggression.

“Your chances of being bitten by a shark remain extremely low,” Naylor said, adding that the risk is far lower than drowning or other water-related accidents.

Historical Trends and Scientific Context

The International Shark Attack File has systematically documented shark-human interactions since 1958. Over decades of monitoring, annual totals have remained relatively stable, with variations influenced by environmental conditions, prey distribution and the growing number of people participating in marine recreation.

A peak in reported incidents occurred in the early 2000s as coastal tourism expanded globally. However, in the past two decades, yearly figures have generally fluctuated around the long-term average without sustained increases.

The report also highlights that roughly 30 percent of shark species worldwide are currently threatened with extinction due to overfishing and habitat degradation. Scientists note that despite intense media coverage of shark bites, sharks themselves face greater risks from human activity than humans do from sharks.

Implications for Public Safety and Conservation

Researchers say continued monitoring helps identify patterns in shark distribution and supports the development of effective risk mitigation strategies. Public education about safe ocean practices remains one of the most effective tools for reducing the likelihood of dangerous encounters.

The annual findings, published through the Florida Museum’s research platform, serve as a primary reference for conservation agencies, policymakers and the scientific community. While the United States and Australia continue to report the highest numbers of unprovoked shark bites, global data indicate that such incidents remain rare relative to the scale of human ocean use.

The 2025 findings reinforce long-standing conclusions that shark bites are uncommon events largely influenced by human exposure and habitat overlap, rather than a measurable increase in shark aggression worldwide. (Sulung Prasetyo)