Australia recorded the second highest number of unprovoked shark bites last year, new research shows, but numbers fell worldwide compared to 2023.
Researchers in Florida say Australia recorded nine bites last year, none of which were fatal. There were five in Western Australia, two in NSW and one each in South Australia and Queensland. The number of unprovoked bites was significantly lower than Australia’s five-year average of 15.
Sharks bit 47 people in unprovoked incidents last year.Credit: Drone Shark App
Worldwide, 47 people were bitten by sharks last year in unprovoked incidents, seven of them fatally, according to the International Shark Attack File, compiled by researchers from the University of Florida and the Florida Museum of Natural History. That number was down from 69 bites in 2023, when 10 incidents were fatal.
The fatal attacks were recorded in Hawaii in the US, the Maldives, Egypt and in open ocean off the western Sahara.
Researchers gather and verify reports of attacks for the shark file. Incidents are deemed “provoked” when they involve human-initiated interaction.
The US recorded 28 unprovoked shark bites last year, including the fatal attack in Hawaii.
Charlize Zmuda died when a shark bit her near Bribie Island earlier this month.
Half of all shark bite victims were swimming or wading when the shark bit them and 34 per cent were surfing. A further 8 per cent were snorkeling or free diving.
Earlier this month, a 17-year-old Queensland girl died after a shark bit her near Bribie Island.
