Shark attacks capture the public’s imagination and dominate headlines when they occur. This extensive media coverage can create a skewed perception of the frequency of such events. This phenomenon, known as the availability heuristic, leads people to overestimate the likelihood of rare events based on their emotional impact and media prominence.
The reality is that you’re much more likely to be killed by a wayward champagne cork than a shark.
So, while we don’t want to worry you about something that probably won’t happen, we want you to be prepared. This article will guide you through survival tips and the potential legal actions you might consider after a shark attack.
Shark attack statistics
The International Shark Attack File (ISAF) is the world’s only scientifically documented database of worldwide shark attacks.
According to ISAF, there were 69 confirmed unprovoked attacks in 2023, aligning with the recent five-year average of 63 incidents annually. However, there were ten unprovoked fatal attacks in 2023, which is higher than average.
An unprovoked bite is defined as an incident where a bite on a live human occurs in the shark’s natural habitat with no human provocation of the shark. In contrast, provoked bites happen when a human initiates interaction with a shark in some way, such as when attempting to feed a shark or when a fisherman removes a shark from a fishing net.
Here is a complete breakdown:
| Unprovoked shark bites worldwide (2023) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country | Total | Fatal |
| USA | 36 | 2 |
| Australia | 15 | 4 |
| New Caledonia | 3 | 1 |
| Brazil | 3 | 0 |
| Egypt | 2 | 1 |
| Bahamas | 1 | 1 |
| Mexico | 1 | 1 |
| South Africa | 2 | 0 |
| Costa Rica | 1 | 0 |
| Columbia | 1 | 0 |
| New Zealand | 1 | 0 |
| Seychelles | 1 | 0 |
| Galapagos | 1 | 0 |
| Turks and Caicos | 1 | 0 |
| Worldwide | 69 | 10 |
In 2023, Florida once again topped the global charts for the number of shark bites. Florida's 16 cases accounted for 44 percent of the total shark bites in the United States and 23 percent of unprovoked bites worldwide. Amazingly, this number is lower than Florida’s recent five-year average of 19 incidents.
| Unprovoked shark bites in the United States (2023) | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Total | Fatal |
| Florida | 16 | 0 |
| Hawaii | 8 | 1 |
| New York | 4 | 0 |
| California | 2 | 1 |
| North Carolina | 3 | 0 |
| South Carolina | 2 | 0 |
| New Jersey | 1 | 0 |
| Total Cases | 36 | 2 |
How to avoid a shark attack?
While shark attacks are rare, taking preventative measures can further reduce your already slim chances of an encounter.
Here are the most important tips from experts on how to avoid a shark encounter and prevent an attack:
- Avoid swimming at dawn, dusk, or night: Sharks are most active and feeding during these times.
- Stay away from fishing areas: Sharks are attracted to bait fish and feeding activity. If you notice an area with many diving seabirds, such as gannets or pelicans, it's best to avoid the area, as this indicates the presence of bait fish and potentially sharks.
- Stay away from areas with seals, sea lions, or large schools of fish: These are common prey for sharks, and their presence can indicate shark activity.
- Don’t wear shiny jewelry: Shiny objects can resemble fish scales and attract sharks. Opt for non-reflective accessories.
- Stay close to shore: Swimming close to shore reduces your chances of encountering sharks and allows for quick assistance if needed.
- Swim in groups: Sharks are more likely to target individuals rather than groups of people.
- Avoid excess splashing: Sharks can hear the low-frequency sounds from splashing and may investigate to see if there is a fish in distress.
- Follow local advisories: Pay attention to local warnings and beach closures due to shark sightings.
Are sharks attracted to human blood?
Contrary to popular belief, sharks are not attracted to human blood. While they possess an acute sense of smell that can detect blood in the water, they are more strongly attracted to fish blood and other marine mammal fluids. The idea that sharks can sniff out a drop of human blood from miles away is a myth. In reality, blood and other bodily fluids are quickly diluted in the ocean, making it unlikely for sharks to detect them from great distances.
Experiments and studies support this understanding. For example, ex-NASA engineer Mark Rober conducted experiments where surfboards were equipped with pumps releasing cow blood, fish blood, or seawater into the ocean. The surfboard with fish blood attracted 134 shark visits, while the one with cow blood had only eight, and the seawater board had none. This suggests that sharks are much more attracted to fish blood than to substances that mimic human blood.
Additionally, a study from 1963 found similar results. Sharks were highly attracted to fish blood but showed much less interest in human blood, and they were repulsed by decomposing blood. Bodily fluids like sweat and urine did not attract sharks significantly.
How to survive a shark attack
While the odds of meeting a shark are slim, it’s always a good idea to be prepared.
In 2023, 24-year-old surfer Jack Frost faced a terrifying encounter at Gnarabup Beach in Western Australia. After being attacked, Frost fought back by punching the shark near its sensitive gills, causing it to retreat. Despite bleeding heavily, he managed to swim more than 600 yards to shore, where he received help and was taken to the hospital.
While not everyone can expect to land a right hook on a shark, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of surviving a shark attack.
The first thing to recognize is that sharks do not want to eat humans. If a shark bites you, it’s almost certainly because the shark has mistaken you for some other form of prey, like a fish or seal. As a result, most shark-human encounters involve a shark performing a “test chomp” and moving along after they realize you’re not palatable.
Believe it or not, sharks want to keep their distance from humans. As marine biologist Kristine Stump points out, “Animals don’t usually attack things that are the same size as them from a self-preservation standpoint.”
You can use this reluctance to engage humans to your advantage. If you’re attacked by a shark, try to kick, strike, or punch the shark with any available object, like a stick or swim shoe, or even your fist. Aim for the sensitive areas, such as the eyes and gills. This usually causes the shark to retreat. Once it swims away, immediately head out of the water without sudden movements. Keep a close watch on the shark if it remains nearby, as it may attempt to return.
What if I encounter an aggressive shark while scuba diving?
If you encounter an aggressive shark while scuba diving (e.g., the shark rushes at you or swims in a fast zig or up and down motion), try to back up against something solid to decrease the number of angles from which the shark can attack. Once you’re backed up, hold out a weapon, such as a shark billy.
If backing up to a solid object and pulling out a weapon isn’t an option, consider swimming slowly to the surface back-to-back with your dive partner.
Can I file a lawsuit if I’m injured by a shark?
We wouldn’t want to be the process server asked to deliver a lawsuit to a shark. Fortunately, there may be other, more realistic, potential defendants:
- Tour operators: If you were on a guided tour or excursion when the shark attack occurred, the tour operator might be liable. They have a duty to ensure your safety by providing adequate warnings, proper equipment, and taking reasonable precautions to avoid dangerous situations.
- Property owners: Owners of beachfront properties, hotels, resorts, and even municipalities that own beaches where the attack occurred might also be held accountable. They are responsible for maintaining safe premises and warning guests of potential hazards, including shark activity.
- Equipment manufacturers: If faulty equipment contributed to the shark attack, the manufacturer of the snorkeling or diving gear might be held liable. For example, if a defective mask or fin prevented you from escaping the shark, you could have a case against the equipment maker.
- Other tourists or participants: In rare cases, other individuals participating in the activity might be partially liable. If another person's reckless or negligent behavior contributed to the shark attack, they could potentially share responsibility for your injuries.
In most shark attack lawsuits, proving negligence is necessary. Here are the four elements you must establish:
- Duty: The defendant owed you a duty of care. This means they were expected to act in a reasonably careful manner to prevent harm. For example, tour operators and property owners owe a duty to ensure the safety of their guests.
- Breach: The defendant breached their duty of care. This could involve failing to provide necessary safety measures and warnings, or ignoring known risks.
- Causation: The defendant’s breach was the direct cause of your injury. You must show that their negligence directly led to the shark attack and your subsequent injuries.
- Damage: You suffered an injury. This includes physical harm, medical expenses, emotional distress, and other related damages.
Consider the following hypothetical:
Imagine you’re vacationing at a luxurious beach resort that offers various water activities, including snorkeling tours. You sign up for a snorkeling excursion led by the resort's tour guides. Before setting out, the guides assure you that the waters are safe and provide you with snorkeling gear, but they fail to mention recent shark sightings in the area.
While snorkeling, you are attacked by a shark, suffering severe injuries to your leg. After the attack, it is revealed that the resort was aware of increased shark activity but chose not to inform their guests or cancel the snorkeling tours. The tour operators also did not provide additional safety measures, such as shark deterrents or guides trained in handling such emergencies.
In this scenario, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against the resort and tour operators for negligence. You would argue that they owed you a duty of care to ensure your safety, breached this duty by not informing you of the shark sightings and failing to take proper precautions, and that this breach directly caused your injuries. You would seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the attack.
While shark attacks are rare, they can have serious consequences. Knowing your rights and the steps to take after such an incident can make a significant difference. If you or someone you know has been injured by a shark, it's important to consult with a personal injury attorney to explore your legal options and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.