Shark attacks are not unusual on U.S. beaches, a newly released report revealed, where such incidents occur most frequently, according to the Museum of Natural History and the University of Florida.
Looking back at the 2023 data, the International Shark Attack File placed Volusia County, Florida first in the world for unprovoked shark bites.
Since 1837, 351 unprovoked attacks were reported in the county, while at this time, Florida as a whole reported 928 attacks.
Second in line is Hawaii with 195, then California with 138 and South Carolina with 118.
In second, Australia came in at 706, and in third, South Africa reported 262 attacks, all from sharks.
Last year, the Shark Attack File cited 69 unprovoked shark bites worldwide, and 36 of them occurred in the U.S., according to one report. New York Post report.
Primarily, the attacks took place in the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when they were enjoying vacations on the beaches.
Last year on Labor Day, two swimmers were bitten separately by sharks near Ponce Inlet, just south of Daytona Beach.
A man was bitten on his left hand, while another shark bit a woman's right foot. None of the attacks were life-threatening.
Volusia County lifeguards say they see sharks all the time, but they rarely attack.
“The locals who live here interact with the sharks daily and never have any problems,” said Volusia Beach Deputy Safety Director Tammy Malphurs. WKMG-TV. “The bites here are a case of mistaken identity.”
“We've never had any life-threatening injuries, but we do get a lot of stings, mainly in the New Smyrna Beach area.”
