Florida #1 For Shark Attacks In U.S.

Great White Shark. Credit: Elias Levy / Wiki Commons

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – Florida accounted for 44% of all shark attacks in the U.S. and 23% of the world’s total in 2023, according to the University of Florida International Shark Attack File (ISAF) 2023 Worldwide Shark Attack Summary.

The 16 unprovoked shark attacks in Florida in 2023 were lower than the most recent five-year annual average of 19 incidents.

Florida Shark Attacks Highest In Volusia County

Volusia County (Daytona Beach area) had the most shark attacks (8) representing 50% of the Florida total which is in line with the recent five-year annual average for Volusia.

Of the eight remaining bites, two were in Brevard County, two in St. Lucie County and one each occurred in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Escambia and Pinellas counties.

Shark Attacks By Water Activity

Following recent trends, surfers and those participating in board sports accounted for most incidents (42% of the total cases).

This group spends a large amount of time in the surf zone, an area commonly frequented by sharks, and may unintentionally attract sharks by splashing, paddling and “wiping out.”

Swimmers and waders accounted for 39% of incidents followed by snorkelers/free divers at 13%.

U.S. Shark Attacks In 2023

Outside of Florida, unprovoked shark attacks also occurred in Hawaii (8), New York (4), California (2), South Carolina (2), North Carolina (3), and New Jersey (1).