Researchers recorded a higher-than-average number of unprovoked shark attacks worldwide last year.
Sharks attacked people without provocation 65 times in 2025, above the five-year average of 61, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File (ISAF).
There were 12 confirmed deaths from shark attacks in 2025.
Researchers say the rise may be linked to an increase in sharks gathering near popular surfing beaches, especially in Australia.
Shark attacks
Last year, ISAF researchers recorded 105 shark bites worldwide.
They fall into two categories:
Unprovoked bites: in the ocean without any human provocation.
Provoked bites: where a human initiates interaction with a shark, such as trying to touch or feed it, or spearfishers.
The nature of four of these bites remain unconfirmed.
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Australia
Researchers recorded 21 unprovoked attacks in Australia in 2025, which they said was “notably higher” than the five-year annual average.
Why?
The report notes that last year’s uptick in fatal shark bites may be linked to an increasing number of white sharks gathering sites near surfing beaches, particularly in Australia.
Most of the 2025 deaths were the result of sharks biting surfers unprovoked.
The researchers emphasised that while the number of unprovoked shark bites globally was above the average, it was still “in line” with the overall data.
“Annual fluctuations are expected... there have been years in the past where fatalities were also higher,” they said.
Last month, NSW recorded four shark attacks within 48 hours. The most serious incident was the fatal attack on 12-year-old Nico Antic at Vaucluse in Sydney Harbour.
Experts say the increased activity was due to rainy conditions, which drew bull sharks to beach areas.
Speaking to TDA at the time, shark expert Dr Daryl McPhee from Bond University said “there is no 100% way to eliminate shark bites,” but that drones are a “ very important tool for identifying sharks and providing that information back to surf lifesavers.”
