Shark Attacks Surge: 12 Fatalities Reported in 2025

A new global report shows a sharp rise in unprovoked shark attacks last year, resulting in 12 human deaths. The International Shark Attack File recorded 65 unprovoked bites worldwide in 2025. This is a significant increase from 47 attacks in 2024. It also exceeds the recent five-year average of 61 incidents. The report is compiled by shark experts at the University of Florida. Despite the rise, the statistics offer context. The risk of a shark bite remains extremely low. For comparison, approximately 4,000 people drown annually in the United States alone. One location continues to report more bites than any other. A single county in Florida, USA, kept its unofficial title as the world's "shark bite capital."