Shark attacks and sightings are drawing increased attention along U.S. coastlines this summer. Wildlife biologist Forrest Galante suggests that a combination of factors, including successful shark conservation efforts, a growing number of people in the water, and increased media coverage, contributes to the perceived spike in encounters.
"Shark populations in a lot of places, like California and Florida, have rebounded because historically, 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago, we had overfished a lot of that area, and the sharks had moved out. So with good conservation efforts, the predators are coming back," Galante told OutKick Outdoors. He noted that the proliferation of cell phones and social media amplifies the reporting of each incident.
According to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File, researchers confirmed 65 unprovoked shark bites worldwide in 2025, with the United States recording 25, the most of any country. Florida led the U.S. with 11 reported incidents. These numbers are slightly below the 10-year average, and U.S. shark bite numbers have decreased overall during the past five years, despite the increase in shark populations in some areas.
Recent incidents include a critical injury near a Florida marina in early June and a child being bitten in shallow water in WaterColor, Florida, shortly after. Internationally, a man was killed in Australia in May, and another was critically injured in Sydney in mid-June.
Galante emphasized that most shark-human interactions are not predatory. "It's nothing to do with the sharks wanting to eat us. It's everything to do with this perfect confluence of situations that lead to more interactions in general, and it's a fraction of a percent of those interactions that end up being negative," he explained. He stated that approximately 99% of shark bites are a case of mistaken identity, where sharks investigate potential food sources like shiny jewelry or the sound of crunching, which can be mistaken for fish bones. "They don’t have hands. They can’t feel it, so that investigative bite can be very, very damaging and, in some cases, fatal."
Galante's upcoming Shark Week special, "Alien Sharks: Untamed America," set to premiere July 29 on Discovery, will explore the diversity of shark species found in U.S. waters. The special aims to highlight the abundance of unique wildlife within the United States.
To reduce the risk of negative encounters, Galante advised beachgoers to avoid swimming at dawn or dusk, near river mouths, or alone. He also cautioned against swimming in areas where people are fishing and bait is being thrown into the water. Additionally, he suggested that shiny objects and loud noises from items like water bottles and beer cans can attract sharks. "Wearing something highly shiny, like jewelry or sequins or anything with those little mirrors that put out light, can look like a school of bait fish," he said.
While acknowledging the rise in shark stories, Galante reassured the public that taking simple precautions can significantly lower the already slim chance of a negative shark encounter.