Despite a recent string of shark attacks across the California coast, including the tragic killing of a 55-year-old swimmer, the violent incidents dropped in the United States in 2025 compared to the year prior.
At least 28 shark attacks were reported last year in U.S. waters, according to information gathered by USA TODAY and non-profitsGlobal Shark Attack FileandTrackingSharks.com.
The more than two dozen attacks reported by the organizations are downover the prior year, when 36 people reported being injured by sharks.
TheInternational Shark Attack File, run by theFlorida Museum of Natural History, classifies the attacks asprovoked or unprovokedbased on whether a human initiated the contact.
The Sunshine State tops the 2025 list of U.S. attacks, with 15 reported last year. California followed with four terrifying encounters.
"While sharks may seem frightening, they are vital in keeping our oceans healthy, and the odds of a negative interaction are slim compared to the number of ocean users." Kevin McMurray with Tracking Sharks and a contributing shark attack researcher withISAFtold USA TODAY.
Last year's incidents in America accounted for just over 41% of the world's 68 documented attacks, which included 11 fatalities.
From Hawaii and California to Florida and New York, here's where each attack took place last year across the United States.
Where do shark attacks occur the most in the US?
Florida (15)
Florida leads all 50 states with the highest number of shark attacks documented last year. Shark experts confirmed 15 attacks, but details were not immediately available for five of the incidents, McMurray said.
Reported shark attacks in The Sunshine State are as follows:
Sept. 2, 3:25 p.m.: Key Largo
Richard Burrows, an8-year-old boy, suffered a bite to his upper leg as he snorkled with family near Horseshoe Reef. The boy was taken by medical helicopter to a hospital, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office said in astatement.
Aug. 16, 11 p.m.: Cayo Costa
Lemon shark
Shawn Meuse, 48, sustained serious injuries to his legwhile posing with a shark for a photo. The encounter took place while he and his friends fished on the barrier island in southwest Florida, the Boca Grande District Fire Department reported.
Aug. 2, noon: Pensacola
Chance Armand, 28,told USA TODAYhe was in waters off Pensacola when a shark bit his knee spearfishing offshore Pensacola Pass. Armand said the shark was attempting to grab a fish he shot. Santa Rosa emergency medical services transported him to a hospital to be treated for the injury.
July 22, 2:50 p.m.: Hollywood
Unknown species
A Canadian man in his 40s suffered an injury to his upper arm inchest-deep water with a friendwhen a fish jumped over his head, and he was quickly attacked by a shark. The victim was taken to a hospital to be treated, Hollywood Fire Rescue and Beach Safety said.
July 19, 12:11 p.m.:West Palm Beach
Lemon shark
Jeff Joel, 69, was bitten in the left forearm after he approached a shark while diving with friends in the Jupiter Inlet,The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. The shark had been caught in a fish stringer about 20 feet deep in the ocean.
July 18, noon: New Smyrna Beach
Unknown species
Sam Hollis, an 18-year-old surf instructor,sustained injuries to his footwhile surfing, Volusia County Beach Safety reported. Hollis waspaddling to a sandbarand attempted to jump and push his board over a wave when he was bitten. He was taken to a hospital to be treated.
July 6, 3 p.m.: New Smyrna Beach
Unknown species
A40-year-old mansuffered injuries from a shark bite to his right forearm as he swam in the ocean, Voulsia County Beach Safety said. The man was transported to a hospital for treatment, the Daytona News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.
Scientists have discovered more than 900 species of sharks and rays and related species
June 11, 12:11 p.m.: Boca Grande
Leah Lindel, a 9-year-old girl, suffered major injuries to her hand while snorkeling with family members . She was taken by medical helicopter to Tampa General Hospital to receive emergency care.
May 27, time unknown: South of Pompano Beach
Unknown species
A 32-year-old woman snorkeling near a pier off Lauderdale-by-the-Sea was bitten in the arm,NBC Miami reported.The woman was in waist-deep water when she spotted bait fish swimming nearby before the attack. She was treated at a hospital, the outlet said.
April 12, 2:48 p.m.: Everglades National Park
Unknown species
A man suffered injuries to the arm and hand in an attack while fishing in Everglades National Park, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported. The man was airlifted to a hospital to be treated for the injuries.
California (4)
Dec. 21, noon: Monterey Bay
Great white shark
Erica Fox, 55,disappeared swimming in the baywith more than a dozen people. A witness reported they saw a shark breach the waterwith what appeared to be a human body in its mouth. The shark then reportedly submerged below the waterline without resurfacing. Fox's body was found several days later, Pacific Grove Police confirmed.
Dec. 12, 8 a.m.:Bodega Bay
Great white shark
A surfersustained hand injuries at North Salmon Creekin Bodega Bay after a shark reportedly attacked him. The area is just off the Sonoma County coast. The victim declined medical treatment at the scene, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said, but he later transported himself to a hospital.
Sept. 30, 1:20 a.m.:Catalina Island
Great white shark
Advertisement
Chris Murray, 54, suffered injuries to the hand and foot swimming the Catalina Channel. The victim reported he was attempting to swim between Catalina Island and the Los Angeles County coast when a small great white shark attacked him twice. Los Angeles Police Department first responders transported him to a local hospital.
May 31, 2:30 p.m.: San Mateo Coast
Great white shark
Jens Heller, 42, was tossed off his surfboard by a shark at Montara State Beach. In an interview withSF Gate, he said a shark knocked him off the board and then attacked it as he swam away. Heller was not seriously harmed.
Odds of being killed by a shark
The odds of being killed by a shark in the United States are more than 4 million to 1, according totrackingsharks.com.
Researchers say people are more likely to die by lighting strike (1 in nearly 80,000), accidental poisoning (1 in 193), or a hospital infection (1 in 38).
Hawaii (3)
Dec. 9. 4:30 p.m.: Kahaulu'u Beach
Blacktip reefshark
Josiah Kaimani Ventura, 24, was bitten in one of his thighs in waters off Kona's west shore of the Big Island. He was injured while trying to release a shark stuck in fishing gear and was taken to a hospital to be treated.
Nov. 5, mid afternoon: Hanalei Bay on Kauai
Tiger shark
Chance Swanson, 33, suffered injuries to his legssurfing near Pine Treeson Kauai's North Shore, theKauai Ocean Safety Bureaureported. The victim had a severed artery and was saved by fellow life guards and taken to a hospital to be treated.
Jan. 11, 1:40 p.m.:Town of Haleiwa on Oahu
Unknown species
A 23-year-old tour boat employee in Hawaii was injured by a sharkon the island's North Shore. The man was bitten on the arm and taken to a hospital be treated.
Minnesota woman dies from shark attack in Virgin Islands, police say
South Carolina (2)
June 22, 12:10 p.m.: Sea Pines Beach
Unknown species
A teenage girlsuffered a leg injuryafter being bitten in waters off Beaufort County. The attack took place at Coligny Beach Park.
June 17, 12:07 p.m.: Hilton Head Island
Unknown species
A12-year-old girlwas bitten on her leg in waters off the south end of Hilton Head Island. The girl was transported toHilton Head Island Airport, where a medical helicopter flew her to a Savannah facility for treatment.
Texas (2)
Nov. 5, 4 p.m.: Matagorda Beach
Unknown species
Chuck Bledsoe, 70, suffered injuries to his foot during an attack while fishing at Matagorda Beach. Officials said the injuries weren't major, and he was taken to a local hospital to be treated the next day,The Bay City Tribunereported.
Aug. 30, time unknown:Galveston
Unknown species
Harper Ochoa, 8, sustained injuries to her leg while she swam in waters off Galveston County. The girl was taken to a hospital where her mother said she received 13 staples to her calf area, local TV stationKWTXreported.
North Carolina (2)
July 12, time unknown:Holden Beach
Blacktip reef shark
Ralph Benson, age unknown, was bitten in the lower leg by a small shark "while surf fishing on the west end of Holden Beach," according toan Oak Island, North Carolina, social media post. The man was taken by medical helicopter to a hospital for treatment. The case remained pending, McMurray said.
May 28, 11 a.m.: Sunset Beach
Unknown species
Sean Barton, 26, suffereda leg injury in an attackswimming just south of Ocean Isle Beach. The Sunset Beach Fire Department said crews transported the victim to a medical facility to be treated.
Massachusetts (1)
July 6, unknown time: Nantucket Beach
Sandbar shark
A 21-year-old man suffered injuries to his leg in an attack while fishing at Hoicks Hollow in Nantucket. The victim was taken by medical helicopter to a hospital,according tomultiple reports.
New York (1)
June 26, 4:15 p.m.: Long Island
Sand tiger shark
A 20-year-old woman swimming in shallow water off Jones Beach State Park near Wantagh sustained minor cuts to her foot and leg when she was bitten. She was taken to a hospital to be treated,The New York Timesreported.
They survived shark bitesHere's what they've learned and the wonders they've seen.
How many people are attacked by sharks each year?
According todata fromISAF, the world averages65 documented shark attackseach year.Six fatal attacksare reported annually on average, the data shows.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1rAwdqreAmcvlkHlTuaddhdn7THoIS1c&femb=1&ll=0%2C0&z=1
How to reduce risk of a shark attack
For those who are worried about the risk of an attack, McMurray said to stay in groups near the shore and in areas patrolled by lifeguards. If in a new area, check with locals to find out about rip currents and sea life.
"The chances of encountering a shark while in the water are slim in most areas and often worth the risk as the ocean is a beautiful place worth exploring and enjoying," McMurray said. "If you see a shark, face it and stay as calm as possible as you slowly swim away, avoiding splashing."
Other tips include:
Do not enter water where people are fishing.
Do not enter water with an injury, especially if you are bleeding.
Avoid wearing shiny jewelry. It can catch sunlight and glint, much like the fish that sharks prey upon.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:How many shark attacks were there in the US last year? See list
Despite a recent string of shark attacks across the California coast, including the tragic killing of a 55-year-old swim...
