Florida: Shark Attack Capital of the World in 2023 with 16 Unprovoked Bites, Despite Lower Rate

In 2023, Florida recorded the most unprovoked shark bites in the U.S., with 16 confirmed cases, representing 44% of the country’s total. Despite this, the state continues to hold the title as the shark attack capital of the world. This rate is lower than the state’s recent five-year annual average of 19 incidents, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File (ISAF). The report defines unprovoked shark bites as those that occur in the shark’s natural habitat without human provocation.

Of the 16 unprovoked shark bites in Florida in 2023, half occurred in Volusia County. Brevard and St. Lucie counties recorded two each, while Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Escambia, and Pinellas counties each reported one bite. Surfers and those practicing board sports made up 42% of the cases, with swimmers and waders accounting for 39%. Thirteen percent of incidents were reported among snorkelers and free divers. Despite these numbers, the ISAF emphasizes that the total number of unprovoked shark bites worldwide remains extremely low.

While Florida led the U.S. in unprovoked shark bites in 2023, Hawaii followed with eight cases, one of which was fatal. Additional bites were recorded in New York, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, and New Jersey. Worldwide