Australia has the highest number of fatal shark attacks in the world, with Western Australia recently becoming the deadliest place in the world for shark attacks with total and fatal shark bites growing exponentially over the last 40 years.
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
The International Shark Attack File estimates that Florida has the most shark attacks worldwide each year. The location of New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County is where a disproportionate amount of them take place.
Where is New Smyrna Beach Located on a Map? New Smyrna Beach, the shark bite capital of the world, lies just south of Daytona on Florida's eastern coast. The beach borders the Atlantic Ocean and is located in Volusia County.
Sharks occur in all habitats around the Australian coast line, however most are found on the continental slope or shelf, primarily on the bottom. However, many sharks are also found in coastal waters and a small number are even found in freshwater systems, such as rivers and estuaries.
When and where do sharks attack? From 2021-2022, New South Wales and Western Australia were the most common states for human/shark interactions in Australia, with 14 cases within each state. This was followed by Queensland with 3 cases and Victoria with 2 cases.
On the morning of January 15, 1983, a body of a black man washed ashore. Most of the body had been devoured by sharks. It appeared a shark had bit his foot when he was alive. However, it is unknown if this is what caused his death, as he could have drowned before he was bitten.
The great white shark has killed the most humans resulting in 52 known fatalities, though roughly 300 unprovoked attacks are recorded from the great white.
Since the 16th century, 1,604 unprovoked shark attacks have been reported in the US, according to the International Shark Attack File. That's more than double the number of shark attacks in Australia, which holds the second-highest number of attacks at 691.
Bondi Beach, Australia
Most of the attacks have taken place off the coast of New South Wales, the state where Bondi Beach is located.
1. New Smyrna Beach, Florida. There have been more than 300 unprovoked shark attacks in Volusia County, where New Smyrna Beach is located. Florida, known as the Sunshine State, is “the shark attack capital of the world.” The state accounts for more than half of the total shark attacks in the United States annually.
1. Great White Shark. Great white sharks are the most aggressive sharks in the world has recorded 333 attacks on humans, with 52 of them being fatal. The inclusion of this particular species probably comes as no surprise since movies, particularly Jaws, and television shows are quick to show their aggression.
Which shark has killed the most humans? As of April 2021, the great white shark - the species portrayed in the film “Jaws” - is responsible for the highest number of unprovoked attacks with 333 total events including 52 fatalities.
Bull shark. Research has revealed that bull sharks bite with almost 6,000N, a force that is greater than what is required to kill and eat prey.
The whale shark, Rhincodon typus, is the largest fish in the world. It is found in tropical and temperate oceans, in both deep water and coastal areas.
Frank Mundus' Great White Shark – 3,427 lbs.
In 1986, this was the largest fish ever caught by rod and reel. The record Captain Mundus was aiming to beat was held by Alf Dean who reeled in a 2,664-pound killer white shark in 1959. Killer sharks are thought to be the largest fish it's possible to catch on rod and reel.
White sharks are responsible for unprovoked and sometimes fatal attacks on humans, but these attacks are extremely rare.
Mr Nellist, a former RAF gunner who survived two tours of Afghanistan, died just 500 feet from horrified beachgoers. At the time, his devastated family paid tribute to the 'proud Cornishman' who had made Australia his home with his fiancée Jessie.
Port Lincoln, situated on the Eastern tip of Eyre Peninsula, is known as the Seafood Capital of Australia. It's a 40-minute flight from Adelaide, the South Australian capital. It's from Port Lincoln that you'll embark on the shark adventure of a lifetime.
Caught 22 kms out of Streaky Bay the shark tired and was gaffed after a 5 hour and 15 minute struggle. The massive shark caught on a 24 kg line weighed in at 1520 kgs and was more than 5m long. It is believed to be the biggest in the world caught on a 24 kg line – a world record!
Warmer waters, more sharks
“As temperatures rise in summer and with climate change, these animals adjust their feeding patterns and move closer to shore,” he said.