Australia second for shark bites as numbers fall worldwide

Australia recorded the second highest number of unprovoked shark bites last year, new research shows, but numbers fell worldwide compared to 2023.

Researchers in Florida say Australia recorded nine bites last year, none of which were fatal. There were five in Western Australia, two in NSW and one each in South Australia and Queensland. The number of unprovoked bites was significantly lower than Australia’s five-year average of 15.

Sharks bit 47 people in unprovoked incidents last year.Credit: Drone Shark App

Worldwide, 47 people were bitten by sharks last year in unprovoked incidents, seven of them fatally, according to the International Shark Attack File, compiled by researchers from the University of Florida and the Florida Museum of Natural History. That number was down from 69 bites in 2023, when 10 incidents were fatal.

The fatal attacks were recorded in Hawaii in the US, the Maldives, Egypt and in open ocean off the western Sahara.

Researchers gather and verify reports of attacks for the shark file. Incidents are deemed “provoked” when they involve human-initiated interaction.

The US recorded 28 unprovoked shark bites last year, including the fatal attack in Hawaii.

Half of all shark bite victims were swimming or wading when the shark bit them and 34 per cent were surfing. A further 8 per cent were snorkeling or free diving.

Charlize Zmuda died when a shark bit her near Bribie Island earlier this month.

Earlier this month, a 17-year-old Queensland girl died after a shark bit her near Bribie Island.

Researchers said the risk of being bitten unprovoked remains “extremely low” and people can further reduce that risk by taking off shiny jewellery before they enter the water, by swimming close to shore with a friend, and by avoiding swimming in low light or at night, near fishing areas or around fish.

They also say to be careful when you are in between sandbars or near steep drop-offs, where sharks like to hang out.

International Shark Attack File researchers say if a shark approaches, maintain eye contact and slowly move away, and if it tries to bite, to hit it in the eyes, gills and snout and to try to push it away by the snout.