The number of shark attacks on humans is increasing. Researchers observed a dramatic increase in 2023. The risk is actually low.
Gainesville – Scientists have been collecting data on shark attacks around the world for decades. 69 shark attacks were recorded in 2023 (2022: 57 attacks). Ten people died as a result of shark attacks, compared to five last year. This comes from the scientific database “International Shark Attack File” (short ISAF) from the University of Florida.
Researchers “worried” – almost 70 shark attacks on humans recorded
The 2023 figure is within normal bite numbers, although the deaths are “somewhat concerning,” Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Museum of Natural History's shark research program, said in a news release.
Most deaths in 2023 were due to bites from great white sharks, bull sharks and tiger sharks. Surfers in particular were bitten by sharks “for no reason” (42 percent). The death of a teenager recently shocked Australia.
“If a great white shark is after a seal and the seal knows that, the great white shark doesn’t stand a chance,” Naylor said. “Seals are very mobile, so the only ones who get caught are the ones frolicking on the surface, minding their own business. And that’s exactly what a surfer looks like.”
In Egypt, a man was attacked and fatally injured by a tiger shark in front of bathers. According to scientists, this was a fairly rare “robbery”.
The University of Florida database has been collecting information about individual shark attacks and bites since 1958. Over 6,800 incidents are covered in the International Shark Attack File, dating back to the early 1,500 years.
However, the annual report focuses primarily on so-called unprovoked attacks. These include cases where a shark attacks in a natural habitat without any provocation from humans and was not attracted by bait.
Unprovoked shark attacks are, according to the Press release from the University of Florida for studying shark behavior is most useful for understanding the animals' behavior.
Deadly shark attacks in 2023 – risk for surfers
According to the researchers, unprovoked shark attacks are test bites when a shark incorrectly identifies a human as prey. In this case, the shark usually swims away after a single test bite. However, a bite from a great white shark or tiger shark can be fatal.
Shark attacks on people – that's what researchers say is behind the behavior
Experts say more shark attacks mean more people are spending time in the water. Sharks have not become more dangerous, emphasizes the Florida Museum of Natural History, where the International Shark Attack Files are located. Humans stay in sharks' natural habitats. This leads to an increase in encounters with the animals.
Over the past few decades, the number of registered attacks has risen sharply. However, it has fluctuated greatly over the past ten years: in 2016 there were a particularly high number of 98, and in the pandemic years 2020 and 2022 there were only 57 – the lowest number in that period.
Avoid a shark attack – this is what you should keep in mind
The risk of encountering a shark is very low, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. The chance of being attacked by a shark is less than 1 in 4 million. For safety reasons, the most important tips for behavior can be found on the website:
- Stay in groups
- Stay close to the shore
- Do not go swimming at dawn or dusk
- Remove sparkly jewelry before bathing
- Do not splash excessively in the water
- Don't go into the sea with an open, bloody wound
Huge bite marks on a great white shark fuel the myth of a prehistoric basking shark. The video of a diver fuels speculation. (ml)
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