According to the World Health Organization, drowning is thethird leading cause of accidental deathworldwide, and coastal features like rip tides and strong currents pose a greater risk to beachgoers than sharks. First published on July 1, 2022 / 8:36 AM. It is still extremely rare to be killed by a shark in Florida. Tue 5 Jul 2022 12.35 EDT Last modified on Tue 5 Jul 2022 15.52 EDT. Although the number of unprovoked shark attacks worldwide decreased in 2022, a study from the University of FloridasInternational Shark Attack File found that last year Florida recorded the highest number of reported shark bitesin the world. Shark attacks are somewhat common near the beaches in Florida. The concentration of fish and other ocean life in the channel inevitably attracts apex predators, including sharks. How many of these Florida shark statistics did you know? The most common identifiable shark species to be caught from Floridas gulf coast were Black Tip Sharks. "The FWC would like to extend our heartfelt best wishes to Jameson Reeder, Jr. and his family during his recovery.". Florida has topped the global charts in the number of shark bites for decades, and the trend continued in 2021, researchers said. While she was in waters 5ft deep off Keaton Beach, about 75 miles south-east of the state capital, Tallahassee, she felt a tug. 155 shark attacks since 1882 have happened in Brevard County. Across the world there were 57 unprovoked shark bites in 2022, most of which occurred in the United States and Australia, said the University of Florida's international shark attack file,. Juveniles tend to be more experimental and will try things that an adult shark wouldnt, Naylor continued. Species in Florida Beach Shark Attacks Since 1926, Chances of an Unprovoked Attack by Sharks in Florida, Know Before You Go: Sharks in Florida Beaches. I have also included some other facts and statistics on landings of sharks in Florida and sharks in aquariums in Florida. How To Take The Ultimate Design Lovers Trip To Washington, DC, Nascar Cup Champ Joey Logano Discusses Sundays Daytona 500 Wreckfest, Slow Rome: Get The Most Out Of A Long Weekend In The Eternal City, Life In The Fast Lane: Miss Texas Tackles, And Tames, Daytona, Explore This Map Of The Worlds Best Alternative Capital Cities, The Ranch Italy Is Reinvigorating The European Wellness Scene With U.S. Pizzazz, Run Silent, Run Deep: Legend Don Walsh On His Dive 7 Miles Down To Challenger Deep. The most common time of day to be attacked by sharks in Florida is 14:00 to 15:00 (2-3 PM). redistributed. The latest shark attack in New Smyrna Beach comes just days after 15-year-old Addison Bethea was seriously injured after being bitten by a 9-foot-long shark while scalloping with her family. Snorkelers/free divers accounted for 9%, and the remainder of the activities were too varied to combine. Thats down from nine deaths in 2021 and 10 in 2020. 3) Male, 21-year-old, 3/9/22 Blacktip sharks are easy to identify by the black tipped fins. The attack happened at Keaton Beach in northwestern Florida's Taylor County on Thursday. There have been 12 shark attacks in Florida in 2022. "The Gulf Streams eddies ebb and flow each year. Drone video shows tiger shark swimming close to beachgoers in Western Australia, extinction due to overfishing and climate change, Study suggests warming oceans are changing tiger shark migrations, Another shark attack puts Long Island beachgoers on alert, Stay shark smart: What to know when you head into the water, Stay close to shore where you can hear any warnings if they go out, Avoid marine life. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It was from the mouth of a 9ft-long shark. 2020 remains a notable exception thanks to the global travel restrictions in place from Covid-19, which closed beaches and skewed comparable data. There have been an average of 25 shark attacks in Florida over the last five years. And the latest report shows that the number of unprovoked shark attacks worldwide decreased last year, tying with 2020 for the fewest number of reported incidents in the last 10 years. The International Shark Attack File provides a curated list of recommendations for further reducing your risk of a shark bite, such as removing reflective jewelry before entering the water and avoiding areas where people are fishing. The girl was flown to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare to receive treatment for those injuries, the sheriff's office said. SUMMER OF THE SHARK: TIMELINE OF SHARK ATTACKS, SIGHTINGS IN NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY PUTTING BEACHGOERS ON EDGE. Before 2022, there were only 12 recorded unprovoked bites in New York's history, including four from the past decade, according to the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum. WHERE DO MOST SHARK ATTACKS HAPPEN IN THE US? The full infographic with summary statistics and safety tips is also available for download. A relaxing day at the beach quickly took a turn for 33-year-old Bryan Olivares. The girl was scalloping in water approximately 5 feet deep near Grassy Island, just of Keaton Beach, when she was bitten by the shark, the Taylor County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Published: Feb. 28, 2023 at 10:07 AM PST. rights reserved. Email him at ed.killer@tcpalm.com. Exercise caution when occupying the area between sandbars or near steep dropoffs. The juvenile sand tigers will follow the fish, which in some cases leads to an uptick in encounters with people, he said. However this is in the family Carcharhinidae which is one of the requiem species, so there are likely more blacktips in Florida attacks than this. Shark bites aren't something you hear about every day, but it can still happen. Shark attack US map reveals predator hotspots after 22 mauled in 2022 - placing beaches on high alert,AT least 22 people have been mauled by sharks in the United States this year alone, according to shocking new data. Pinellas County has the most unprovoked attacks of sharks in Florida beaches for the gulf coast. As in previous years, the U.S. had the highest number of bites, and Florida again had more reported bites than anywhere else on Earth. In 2022, there have been 51 shark attacks in the U.S., mostly in Florida. Anglers will need to use a non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hook when using live or dead natural bait. The sharks in this category are most likely blacktip sharks, spinner sharks, or sandbar sharks. The attack happened at Keaton Beach in northwestern Florida. According to a recent study, "immediate action" is needed to protect coral reef sharks and rays worldwide, as nearly two-thirds of species are being threatened with extinction due to overfishing and climate change. Last year, the United States only reported one fatal shark attack. In 2021, Florida remained the top state in the number of shark bites, with 28 reports. The numbers dont lie and so it remains up to us to protect sharks and with them our ocean habitats. Within the U.S. Florida remains the state with the most shark attacks annually. Investigating 108 alleged human and shark interactions in 2022, there were a total of 57 unprovoked bites and 32 provoked bites, with most occurring in the United States and Australia. 3 Florida Lakes with Alligator Attacks in 2022 WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. This is due primarily to the unique topography of the region. Avoid water being used by recreational or commercial anglers. HUSBAND REPORTS WIDE MISSING AFTER SHARK ENCOUNTER WHILE SNORKELING IN HAWAII. The Spinner is the third most common shark species recorded in attack, making up 9% of Florida shark attacks. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Its just insane because Ive seen other people go through things and need support and thought itd never be me, said Bethea. Per Vox: In 2022, Singh's donations included $4 million to Reproductive Freedom for All, a group supporting an abortion rights ballot initiative in Michigan; $2.25 million to Women Vote!, the independent . In 2021, there were 28 total shark bites in Florida, which accounted for 60% of unprovoked shark attacks in the United States. ", STAY SHARK SMART: WHAT TO KNOW WHEN YOU HEAD INTO THE WATER. New York saw a record eight unprovoked bites in 2022 where it had only reported 12 in total previously. According to the International Shark Attack FileInternational Shark Attack File Seventeen of those attacks took place in Volusia County, which includes the town of Daytona Beach. Shark attacks 2022: How many shark attacks took place in the United States?,A SERIES of shark attacks and sightings have been reported throughout the United States in 2022. Though shark attacks are incredibly rare, I thought I would share some statistics on sharks in Florida for anyone curious. Sitade Getty Images/iStockphoto A 10-year-old North Carolina boy on vacation with. The report focuses on unprovoked attacks because unprovoked bites give us significantly more insight into the biology and behavior of sharks, explains Naylor. Sometimes they can come very close to shore, bringing nutrients and fish with them. Juveniles tend to be more experimental and will try things that an adult shark wouldnt, Naylor said. And he just kept coming. These statistics for sharks in Florida show that is a rare event to get attacked. 9 attacks have happened here since 1882, which is also about 1% of shark attacks. Two fatal attacks occurred on the same day in Egypts Red Sea, where shark encounters are considered rare. Generally speaking, the number of sharks in the worlds oceans has decreased, which may have contributed to recent lulls. Volusia County has the highest number of attacks by sharks in Florida beaches. Since 2012, there is an average of 29.9 unprovoked attacks by sharks in Floridas coastal waters per year. The remaining were all uncertain as to exactly what had happened and ISAF is still investigating them to find a satisfactory explanation. Of. Bethea said Willinghams rescue strengthened a sibling bond that was already fiercely close. Large sharks were spotted swimming next to the shore in Florida Saturday, prompting beach-goers to evacuate. The recall covers Rogues from the 2014 through 2020 model years, as well as Rogue Sports from 2017 through 2022. According to the World Health Organization, drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death worldwide, and coastal features like rip tides and strong currents pose a greater risk to beachgoers than sharks. The most common activity a victim was performing at the time of the attack was surface recreationist, meaning surfing, paddleboarding, boogie boarding, or floating on inflatables. Authorities say a teenage girl was seriously injured when a shark attacked her off Florida's Gulf Coast. The use of multiple hooks is not allowed when fishing for sharks in Florida. Weve always been close, like since forever, so this somehow brought us even more close, Bethea said. South Africa, which averages a few bites a year, had two unprovoked attacks in 2022, both of which were fatal and likely caused by white sharks. She was airlifted to Tallahassee. Whatever potential food source they find, theyll sample, said Naylor. This is an increase from 2021 when 64% of the worldwide unprovoked bites occurred in the U.S. Australias total of nine unprovoked incidents was lower than the most recent five-year annual average of 15 incidents for the region. This story has been updated. And I couldn't get around to his nose the way he bit me.". There were also two fatal shark attacks on the same day in Egypts Red Sea. The data records both which month the shark attack occurred and which hour of the day. Taylor County Sheriff Wayne Padgett told CBS affiliate WCTV that the girl had surgery Thursday, and is expected to survive. Once again this decline in attacks, unprovoked and provoked, alongside the reported decline in shark numbers globally only reinforces the simple truth that sharks are at far greater risk from us than we ever will be from them. And then I look and its a big old shark," the victim, 17-year-old Addison Bethea, told "Good Morning America" from her hospital bed in an exclusive interview airing Saturday morning. Volusia County (Daytona Beach area) had the most shark attacks (7) representing 44% of the Florida total, but lower than the five-year average of 9 cases. DETROIT (AP) Nissan is recalling more than 809,000 small SUVs in the U.S. and Canada because a key problem can cause the ignition to shut off while they're being driven. South Africa also reported two unprovoked attacks in 2022, both of which were also fatal and likely from great whites. At the hospital, Jameson had to have his leg amputated below his knee due to the shark bite, Reeder said. Before 2022, there were only 12 recorded unprovoked bites in New York's history, including four from the past decade, according to the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum. Another variable tracked for sharks in Florida is the type of shark. Always stay with a buddy, since sharks are more likely to approach a solitary individual. Also, avoid swimming during the nighttime when sharks are very active. Though Florida is the most likely place in the world for an unprovoked shark attack to occur, the good news is that it is still very unlikely to happen during a visit to the beach. All Florida shark landing statistics in this section were obtained from the FWC website. Florida had 28 unprovoked bites last year,. Seven of Floridas 16 attacks last year were in Volusia County, four were in Monroe County which includes the Keys, and Palm Beach, Brevard, Martin, Nassau and Pinellas counties each had one attack. "Most of the bites in Florida are cases of mistaken identity. I have compiled some statistics regarding sharks in Florida aquariums and Orlando theme parks below. "Unprovoked bites give us significantly more insight into the biology and behavior of sharks," Naylor said in the release. Naylor added that several of the bites in Volusia County are at New Smyrna Beach where the water is crowded with surfers and where there are large schools of bait fish upon which the black tip sharks feed. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. While that decline in bites sounds like a good thing, director of the Florida Museum of Natural Historys Florida Program for Shark Research, Gavin Naylor, sounds a note of caution that it may simply reflect the documented global decline of shark populations, Generally speaking, the number of sharks in the worlds oceans has decreased, which may have contributed to recent lulls. However, Its likely that fatalities are down because some areas have recently implemented rigorous beach safety protocols, especially in Australia.. A girl suffered serious injuries Thursday when she was attacked by a shark at a beach in Florida, authorities said, continuing a frightening trend in the state that accounts for nearly 40% of unprovoked shark bites worldwide. This first section breaks down statistics of sharks in Florida compared to other states and the rest of the world. The west coast sees even more shark harvests from recreational anglers with an average of 723,000 sharks per year. The ISAF says New York saw a record eight unprovoked shark attacks in 2022, with six of those being confirmed. The sheriff's office said the type of shark that attacked was unclear but it was described as approximately 9 feet long. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or Diving seabirds are good indicators of these fishes presence. If you are looking to see sharks safely from behind glass, there are many aquariums and attractions throughout Florida to do so. Within two weeks, four people were mauled on the same coast off a Long Island beach. Sharks bit 16 people in unprovoked encounters off Floridas waters in 2022, and while none of these bites were fatal, two, most likely from bull sharks, required medical attention resulting in amputations, according to the study. The teen suffered "serious injuries" and had to be airlifted to a hospital in Tallahassee, about 80 miles northwest of Keaton Beach, according to the sheriff's office. International Shark Attack Files website. Jupiter, Florida - May 05, 2022: A bull shark gets up close to inspect divers during an eco . It was the attacked in 103 or 16% of Florida shark attacks. Open oceans are often pretty bleak, and the pelagic sharks that live in them make their living by opportunism. Indeed, shark attacks are relatively rare, with just 73 worldwide last year reported as unprovoked, though 28 of those did occur in Florida. Copyright 2020 The Florida Travel Girl | All Rights Reserved. The International Shark Attack File places a strong emphasis on unprovoked bites in its annual report and does not highlight attacks that may have been prompted by mitigating circumstances, such as fishing lines cast in the direct vicinity of the incident or the presence of chum in the water. https://youtu.be/A0HK8gi1l8s via @YouTube. The incident marked only the 11th known unprovoked attack from this species. Rhett Willingham, left, and Addison Bethea, right, discuss a 30 June shark attack which Addison survived, but not without needing her right leg amputated above the knee. Im still going to do what I love dont just let fear overtake your life.. The ISAF reports an additional 32 shark attacks in 2022 that meet the criteria for having been intentionally or unintentionally provoked. Gino Santa Maria/Shutterstock.com New Smyrna Beach, fishing, Blacktip shark 4) Male, 20-year-old, 3/13/22 On Wednesday, a dead great white shark washed ashore on Kismet Beach on Fire Island, a barrier island in New York. Researchers say that the higher number of shark bites in Florida waters closest to Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando is attributable to high aquatic recreational use by both Florida residents and tourists, including large numbers of surfers, and to the rich nature of its marine fauna. "Addison has a long journey to recovery, but she was in good spirits today, surrounded by her family in Tallahassee Memorials Pediatric Intensive Care Unit," the hospital said. Shark attacks: Florida is shark bite capital of the world, according to International Shark Attack File Florida in France: It's a small world: Tallahassee couple came across FAMU's. Juvenile sand tiger sharks are inquisitive, which has lead to a spike in unprovoked encounters with [+] humans around Long Island. Her brother Rhett Willingham, a firefighter, was just a few feet away in the boat when he saw the shark lock its mouth around Betheas thigh. My daughter, by medical standards, should not be alive right now, their mother, Michelle Murphy, told the CBS station. The report, however, doesnt include shark attacks that may have been prompted by factors including fishing lines cast in the direction of sharks or the presence of chum in the water. Doctors saved her life, but were unable to salvage the entire leg, requiring that she undergo amputation above the knee. Breaking from recent trends,surfers and those participating in board sports accounted for fewer incidents (35% of the total cases). The U.S. once again reported the most attacks, and Florida accounted for nearly 40% of unprovoked bites worldwide. Jameson Reeder, 10, of North Carolina, was snorkeling near the Dry Tortugas west of Key West when a bull shark bit him on Aug. 13. The teen was scalloping in water approximately 5 feet deep near Grassy Island, just of Keaton Beach, when she was bitten by the shark, according to the Taylor County Sheriff's Office. On the Atlantic Coast of Florida, 6,666,509 sharks were harvested between 2004 and 207. Its likely that fatalities are down because some areas have recently implemented rigorous beach safety protocols, especially in Australia.. People Editorial Guidelines. Internationally, ISAF reports nine unprovoked shark attacks in Australia, and single attacks were also reported in New Zealand, Thailand and Brazil. There have been 31 non-fatal attacks in the US in 2022, 18 of which were in Florida. Shark attacks increased around the world in 2021 following three consecutive years of decline, according to a report released in January. Mako Sharks and Blue Sharks are the least common shark species involved in a Florida attack, which each species only making up 1% of Florida shark attacks. To help with this, ISAF offers resources for reducing your risk of shark bite and instructions for what to do if youre attacked. FILE - A bull sharks comes close to inspect tourist and their cameras during an eco tourism shark dive off of Jupiter, Florida on May 5, 2022. Snorkelers and free divers accounted for 9% of attacks and the remaining 13% split between a variety of activities, from scuba diving to simply diving into the water. New York had a record eight bites in 2022, six of which have been confirmed. "She came back up and I saw, like, the blood and everything, and I saw the shark," Willingham told "Good Morning America." Florida has led the U.S. and the rest of the world in unprovoked shark bites for decades, and the trend continued in 2021, researchers said. Addison's brother, Rhett Willingham, a firefighter and emergency medical technician, raced to help her. The juvenile sand tigers will follow the fish, which in some cases leads to an uptick in encounters with people, explained Naylor of the quirk in data. (Joseph Prezioso/Anadolu Agency / Getty Images). Stephen Smith is a senior editor for CBSNews.com. There is no size limit for catching the following shark species in Florida Atlantic Sharp Nose, Black Nose, Black Tip, Bonnet Head, Fine Tooth, Smooth Dogfish, and Florida Smooth-hounds. "So then I swam over there, grabbed her, and then pushed them all, kind of trying to separate them. / CBS News. Bethea said she was raised to love the water, and she intended to keep doing so despite the long recovery she faces. Better shark awareness and understanding are just two factors contributing to the downward trend in [+] attacks. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Florida Teen Will Have Part of Leg Amputated Due to 'Extensive' Injuries from Shark Attack Addison Bethea, 17, was seriously injured on Thursday when the 9-foot shark clamped onto her while she was scalloping near Keaton Beach Avoid uneven tanning, bright-colored and/or high contrasting clothing, sharks see contrast particularly well. In his Facebook post, Reeder said that his nephew is 10 years old but will turn 11 in the coming weeks. This is due to the area having a strong tidal flow that brings in lots of baitfish, as well as great waves for surfing. Has there been an uptick in attacks? Only one attack was reported on the database in 2022, and Krebs . There has. Great White Shark attacks are extremely rare in Florida. And one woman who was swimming in the Dry Tortugas off the Florida Keys was attacked by a lemon shark, which doesnt attack humans that often. The minimum length for harvesting a Short Fin Mako is 83 inches. Instagram; Twitter; Digital News Writer, PEOPLE. How many shark attacks bites have there been in Hawaii in 2022? Sightings of porpoises or dolphins do not indicate the absence of sharks, both often eat the same food items. Elsewhere its hard to avoid that tragic day on January 8 2022 in the Red Sea when two fatal attacks occurred less than a mile from each other. A teenage girl who survived a shark attack at a Florida beach recounted that her first instinct was to punch the fish in the nose. Since 1837, there have been 896 confirmed unprovoked attacks by sharks in Florida. Four bites occurred in New South Wales, four bites occurred in Western Australia, and a single incident occurred in Victoria. never been a Great White Shark fatality in Florida. That's down from nine in 2021 and 10 in 2020. The ISAF reports there have been an average of 74 unprovoked shark attacks around the world every year since 2013, with 2020 being the exception because of COVID-19 travel restrictions and beach closures. Florida had 28 unprovoked bites last year, compared to 19 in the rest of the U.S. and 26 total outside the U.S. Florida's 28 cases represented 60% of the U.S. total and 38% of unprovoked bites worldwide. Volusia County. There is a 54-inch size limit for fork length only for the following species of sharks in Florida: Bull, Nurse, Spinner, Blue, Oceanic White Tip, and the Thresher sharks. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. For more resources, including the full 2022 report, you can visit the International Shark Attack Files website. Beware of sharks swimming closer to shore, American alligator attacks are rare. Outside of Florida, U.S. attacks were recorded in New York (8),California(4),South Carolina(4),Hawaii(5),North Carolina(2) and single incidents in both Texas and Alabama. Recent shark sightings in Panama City Beach recorded 15 different species, most of which are non-aggressive and unlikely to attack unless provoked. Initiated in 1958, there are now more than 6,800 individual investigations covering the period from the early 1500s to the present. 72 or 11% of shark attacks in Florida since 1926 happened during that hour. Last year, about 60% of all unprovoked shark attacks in the United States -- and almost 40% of all attacks worldwide -- occurred in . Soon, a nearby boat came to help Jameson to shore. Jameson Reeder Jr. was snorkeling while on vacation with family when the "very traumatic event occurred," Jameson's uncle, Joshua Reeder, wrote in a Sunday Facebookpost. New York and New Jersey beaches experienced a string of shark sightings and attacks last summer that put beachgoers on edge. The attack happened near Keaton Beach and after several . "The unprovoked bites are likely due to the same forces responsible for unprovoked bites in previous years," Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Museum of Natural HistorysFlorida Program for Shark Research told NBC 6. Florida Museum claims that from 1882 to 2020, Manatee County has reported four attacks, and seven have been reported in Sarasota County. Thanks for subscribing! CASE: GSAF 2022.10.10.R DATE: Reported October 10, 2022 LOCATION: Key Largo, Monroe County, Florida, USA NAME: Malec Mata DESCRIPTION: A 15-year-old male from South Florida BACKGROUND DEPTH OF WATER: Waist-deep NARRATIVE: Malec Mata was casting bait when the small nurse shark got wrapped up in their fishing line. Doctors performed emergency surgery and were able to stabilize the teen, who suffered extensive damage to her right leg, according to the hospital. According to the University of Floridas International Shark Attack File, there were a total of 57 unprovoked bites in 2022, most of which occurred in the United States and Australia. . In fact, the attack marked only the 11th known unprovoked attack from that species, according to the ISAF. The ISAF says the U.S. had the highest number of shark attacks last year, and Florida had more reported bites than anywhere else on the planet. Brevard County has the second highest amounts of shark attacks in Florida. In the Red Sea, theyre mere meters from the shore, Naylor explained. A list of 2021 fatal shark attacks world wide from information gathered by https://www.trackingsharks.com/ and https://www.sharkattackfile.netLinks to more i. Since 1926, 17% of the 646 unprovoked shark attacks in Florida have happened this month. Published on July 20, 2022 02:28 PM . Florida's beaches are notorious for shark attacks, and this isn't because shark attacks occur so frequently.. Researchers cited two reasons why unprovoked bites were lower in 2022 than 2021. All rights reserved, Philippine Provincial Governor Shot Dead by Gunmen While Meeting Villagers, Chris Rock to Address Will Smith Oscars Slap in First Stand-Up Since Last Year's Oscars, Viral Kids' Star Ms. Rachel Is Taking a Break From Social Media After Backlash Over Co-Star Who Uses They/Them Pronouns, NYC Winter Storm: 12 Hours of Rain, Gusts Near 50 MPH, Snow Expected; See Timing Here, NYC Rapper Indicted in Long Island Mansion Shooting, Mysterious Cases of Men Found Dead After Leaving NYC Gay Bars Ruled Homicides: ME. The good news: None of Floridas 16 unprovoked shark attacks was fatal, but two required medical treatment that required amputations. The group was at Little Africa Reef, which is 70 miles away from Key West. Copyright 2011-2023 Brevard Times. Pinellas County has the most unprovoked attacks of sharks in Florida beaches for the gulf coast. One of the best ways to avoid shark attacks is to stay near a group of people since sharks tend to go for individuals. A 10-year-old boy has part of his leg amputated after shark attack off Florida Keys By Amanda Watts and Jason Hanna, CNN Published 10:21 AM EDT, Tue August 16, 2022 Link Copied! The larger ones can get to be 6 feet long. "And the next thing I know something latches onto my leg and I was like that's not right. He was wading in waist-deep water with his dad . The number of unprovoked shark bites declined worldwide in 2022, tying with 2020 for a ten-year low. Out of 73 unprovoked incidents recorded around the world last year, 28 were in Florida, representing 60% of the total cases in the United States and 38% of cases worldwide.