Shark attacks fall to 28-year-low in 2024

While sharks might have a fearsome reputation, the chances of being bitten by one are incredibly low. In 2024, just 47 people were hurt in unprovoked shark attacks—the lowest level in almost 30 years.

In an average year, humans kill tens of millions of sharks. At the same time, about 70 people will be injured by sharks. A global shark bite census has revealed that this number has fallen even further in 2024.

Just 47 unprovoked shark attacks were recorded in the latest update to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), which included four deaths. This was a drop of almost a third since the year before, with researchers describing 2024 as "an exceptionally calm year for shark bites."

The majority of these bites happened in the U.S., with 28 attacks recorded across six states. Half of the country's shark attacks happened in Florida, where the long coastline and warm water make it more likely people and sharks will come into contact.

Elsewhere, Australia recorded nine shark bites, while 10 other territories recorded one bite each. Dr. Diego Vaz, our Senior Curator of Fishes, explains that the latest ISAF update shows how unlikely it is to be bitten by a shark.

"Millions of sharks are killed each year, from newborns through to fully grown adults, and we're also destroying their environment," Diego says. "In comparison, 47 people being bitten seems so small, especially across so many kilometers of beach around the world."

"We need to remind ourselves that we're entering their environment as visitors, and so we need to accept the risks that brings and take precautions where needed. Sharks have been on Earth for over 400 million years, much longer than humans, so we're the ones who are invading their space."

As keystone species in the oceans, sharks play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and require more help and protection.

How common are shark attacks?

While films and news reports have planted the idea that sharks are an existential threat to humans, in reality shark attacks are vanishingly rare.

In the U.S., where the risk of shark attacks are at their highest, the chance of someone being killed by a shark during their own lifetime is around 1 in 4 million. Americans are much more likely to be killed by other animals instead—the chance of being stung to death by hornets, bees and wasps is around one in 41,000, while fatal dog attacks happen to around one in 45,000.

When looking at the risk of shark attacks across the entire world, it becomes even more unlikely. The global risk of being killed by a shark is around one in 28 million, which is more likely than winning the UK lottery but less likely than being killed by lightning in the U.S.

This is because most species of sharks don't attack people. Out of more than 500 shark species, only 13 are known to bite humans "frequently," which the ISAF defines as biting humans 10 or more times.

"Big sharks, such as the great white shark, bull shark and tiger shark, are more likely to have encounters with people," Diego says. "The main reason for this is their size—we don't know as much about shark behavior as we would like, but the level of fear towards something is directly related to the size of the threat.

"Therefore, big sharks are more likely to fight than flee if they encounter people, as some of them can reach five meters long. We also know they are curious, especially about splashing in the water as that can indicate an animal in distress."

Why do sharks attack people?

While shark attacks are extremely uncommon, they are more likely when the predators come closer to land to feed or breed. One of the most common causes of shark attacks is believed to be mistaken identity.

For example, a spate of attacks in Florida's Volusia County in 2024 is believed to have been caused by blacktip sharks that had recently hatched along the coast. While this species normally eats fish, stingrays and other sharks, these young blacktip sharks were still learning.

Surfers, meanwhile, can also end up being accidental targets. Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research, says that around a third of shark attacks in 2024 were on surfers and their boards.

"People surf where there are good waves, and where there are good waves, there's turbidity," Gavin explains. "Where there's turbidity, there are often bait fish that attract sharks."

"However, the turbidity also reduces visibility in the water, making it harder for sharks to see. Some of them make mistakes."

Other shark attacks are thought to be caused by animals defending their territory. An attack in India last year is believed to have been caused by a bull shark which had migrated up the Vaitarna River. It's possible it might have been a pregnant female, as they are known to navigate upstream to find quiet areas where they can give birth.

How to reduce the risk of shark attack

As the risk of a shark attack is never zero, the ISAF recommends a variety of actions that can make this rare event even more unlikely:

• Stay in groups, as sharks tend to approach people on their own.
• Stay near to shore, and away from drop-offs where sharks congregate.
• Avoid being in the water at night, dawn or dusk, when sharks are more likely to be feeding and are harder to see underwater.
• Take off jewelry and bright-colored clothing, as sharks can see the contrast between light and dark particularly well.
• Do not try to feed or agitate sharks.

What threats do sharks face?

Though sharks can hurt people, humans cause much more harm to sharks. Every year, an estimated 80 million sharks are killed by fisheries alone.

While the main driver of shark fishing used to be the trade in their fins, which are considered a delicacy in some regions, in recent times demand for shark meat appears to be rising. Some research suggests that rules against finning have led to more whole sharks being processed, driving demand for this commodity.

Bycatch is also a significant issue, as sharks become caught up in gillnets and long lines intended for other fish.

"Fishing is removing a significant amount of the population and diversity, particularly from certain key shark species," Diego explains. "We need better regulations on which sharks are caught, how they're caught, and catch-all methods like trawling should be avoided."

"Well-regulated fishing is the only way to ensure that these animals can survive, as what we're subjecting them to at the moment is just not sustainable."

This story is republished courtesy of Natural History Museum. Read the original story here