Florida Shark Bite Capital of the World, but Attacks Reduce in 2023

Great White SharkPhoto byWikimedia

The Big Story

Florida, often dubbed the "shark bite capital of the world," has seen a remarkable drop in shark bite incidents, surprising both locals and tourists. Volusia County, which was once infamous for shark encounters, has seen a substantial decline in recent years, providing a glimmer of relief to beachgoers.

New Smyrna Beach, in Volusia County, known for its deadly spiral of shark encounters, saw a positive change in the trend in 2023. Recent data shows a noteworthy decrease in shark bites.

According to statistics from the Florida Museum of Natural History's Florida Program for Shark Research International Shark Attack File, the number of unprovoked shark bites worldwide has has been decreasing in the past few years.

In 2022, only 57 unprovoked shark bites were recorded globally, with 41 of those occurring in the United States. This marked a significant reduction from the 73 incidents reported worldwide, including 47 in the US, in 2021.

Volusia County, often in the spotlight for shark bite incidents, has also made impressive strides in beach safety. In 2022, only seven shark bites were reported in the county, a considerable drop from the 16 incidents documented in 2021. This figure represents the fifth-lowest number of shark bites recorded in Volusia County over the past 22 years.

In the current year, 2023, there has been a promising start with only three incidents reported by mid-July, matching the number of bites from the previous year

Why it matters?

Sharks comprise over 300 different species, but only around a dozen of them have been involved in human encounters. Humans are not a typical part of a shark's diet, as they usually feed on smaller fish and invertebrates. Some larger shark species may prey on marine animals like seals and sea lions.

In cases where a shark bites a human, it's often due to curiosity about splashing in the water or being startled by a swimmer or surfer crossing its path. Similar to a dog barking to protect its territory, some sharks may bite to defend their territory.

How to stay safe from shark bites?

University of Florida has come up with a useful list on avoiding shark bites and staying safe when you go to the beach:

• Sharks are more prone to approach a solitary human, so always stay with a buddy.
• To guarantee you have access to emergency assistance, don't stray too far from the coast.
• Sharks like to linger out between sandbars and along steep dropoffs, so use caution when exploring these regions.
• Avoid swimming during low light hours (dawn or dusk) and at night, when many sharks are active and feeding.
• While sharks are not attracted to the smell of human blood, it is still best to avoid swimming if you are bleeding from an open cut. Consider menstruation and how it may affect sharks.
• Wearing flashy jewelry may attract sharks since the reflected light may resemble fish scales.
• Avoid sites with known effluents or sewage, as well as areas used by commercial or recreational fishermen, especially if there are signs of bait fishes or feeding activity. Diving seagulls might be useful markers of the presence of these fishes.
• Even if you see porpoises or dolphins, be cautious because they frequently eat the same foods as sharks.
• Exercise particular caution in cloudy waters, as some shark species may struggle to see.
• Sharks are particularly sensitive to contrast, so avoid uneven tanning and brightly colored or highly contrasting apparel.
• Avoid excessive splashing, especially in one area, because sharks can hear low-frequency sounds and may investigate if they detect distress in a fish or prey.
• Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be there. If you see sharks while swimming, get out of the water gently and calmly.