Fact Check: "Approximately 80 unprovoked shark attacks occur annually in the U.S."
What We Know
The claim that "approximately 80 unprovoked shark attacks occur annually in the U.S." is misleading. According to the ISAF 2024 shark attack report, the United States recorded 28 confirmed unprovoked shark bites in 2024. This figure represents a slight decrease from the 36 incidents reported in 2023 (source-2). The total number of unprovoked shark bites in the U.S. has not approached 80 in recent years; instead, the five-year average from 2019 to 2023 is approximately 64 unprovoked bites worldwide, with the U.S. accounting for a significant portion of that total.
Analysis
The data from the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) is considered a reliable source for shark attack statistics, as it is compiled by the Florida Museum of Natural History, which specializes in shark research. The classification of bites into "unprovoked" and "provoked" is clearly defined, with unprovoked bites being those that occur without any human interaction that could be seen as provoking the shark.
In 2024, the U.S. accounted for 60% of the global total of unprovoked shark bites, which further emphasizes that the number of unprovoked bites is significantly lower than the claim suggests. The report indicates that the 28 unprovoked bites in the U.S. are consistent with long-term trends and do not support the assertion of 80 annual attacks.
Additionally, the claim lacks context regarding the overall safety of ocean activities. The risk of being bitten by a shark remains extremely low, and the number of fatalities from shark attacks is also minimal, with only seven confirmed shark-related fatalities worldwide in 2024, four of which were classified as unprovoked (source-1).
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that "approximately 80 unprovoked shark attacks occur annually in the U.S." is inaccurate. The actual number of confirmed unprovoked shark bites in the U.S. for 2024 is 28, significantly lower than the claim. This discrepancy highlights the importance of relying on verified data from credible sources when discussing shark attacks.
