Shark attacks in U.S. waters are approaching previous years' totals even as the summer season commences, with seven attacks and one fatality recorded so far this year. Sightings have increased along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, attributed by experts to warming ocean temperatures that are altering shark migration patterns and bringing them closer to shore.
Experts note that shark populations are also growing due to an abundance of prey. "We’ve fixed the prey base. We’re not killing seals and sea lions for furs and oil anymore, so the sharks have more to eat," said Forrest Galante, a host of Discovery Channel's Shark Week. "When you have more sea life, you have more sharks." The presence of abundant prey, such as seals which often bask near shore, further contributes to sharks venturing into shallower waters.
Last year, a record 65 unprovoked shark attacks occurred globally, with the U.S. accounting for 25 of those incidents. While fatalities were lower in 2023 with four worldwide, 2024 has already seen 12 unprovoked shark-related deaths globally. In the U.S., one fatality occurred in 2023 and another in early 2024 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where a woman died after a shark attack resulted in the loss of her arm.
Recent incidents include a critical injury to a Navy employee swimming near a Florida marina in May. On Long Island, New York, a swimmer's foot was injured at Jones Beach in an incident lifeguards suspect involved a tiger shark. Over the holiday weekend, a nine-foot shark was spotted off Point Lookout, leading to beach closures. The Coast Guard has deployed drones to monitor waters and track shark movements near bathing areas.
While great white sharks are widely recognized, experts also caution about bull sharks, which can inhabit both saltwater and freshwater. "Bull sharks can go into salt water as well as fresh water," Galante explained. "They’re incredibly efficient hunters and hunt in low visibility water, where people like to swim. Plus, they’re the highest testosterone sharks in the world. More people have been bitten by great whites, but I think you’re more likely to have a negative encounter with a bull shark."
On the West Coast, warmer Pacific waters associated with an El Niño pattern are expected to influence shark behavior, potentially bringing unusual species like hammerheads closer to shore. This shift in ecosystems can impact shark activity along the California, Oregon, and Washington coastlines. Other species like tiger sharks and whale sharks may also be observed.
Even in cooler waters around New England, blacktip sharks, typically found further south, are being sighted with increasing frequency. Shark attacks have also been reported off the coasts of Texas and Georgia this year.
To enhance safety, experts advise swimmers to avoid areas where fishermen clean their catches, refrain from swimming at dawn or dusk when sharks are more active feeders, and steer clear of surfing near seal or sea lion rookeries. Dr. John Carlson, a research fish biologist at NOAA, recommends avoiding flashy jewelry, swimming in clear daylight, and not venturing too far from shore or lifeguards. He also advises against panicking or splashing if a shark is spotted, suggesting a slow retreat from the water. Carlson noted that while encounters occur more frequently than perceived, sharks do not typically view humans as prey, and most interactions conclude without harm.