Humans kill the most sharks, with estimates reaching up to 100 million annually, primarily through commercial fishing for fins (shark fin soup) and meat, but also significant unintentional bycatch (accidental capture in nets) and shark control programs, pushing many species towards extinction due to their slow reproduction rates. While shark finning has decreased, the overall trade in shark meat and products continues to drive mortality.
Indeed, orcas are the top predator in the ocean and small sharks are a target for some populations. Orcas will even attack and kill great white sharks just to eat their livers which are a high energy food source.
While sharks are killed for their meat, oil, cartilage, and other byproducts, the most in-demand and devastating product is shark fins, primarily used in shark fin soup. This lucrative global trade continues to drive unsustainable shark fishing and finning practices, pushing many species toward extinction.
You don't become the subject of a movie like "Jaws" without being dangerous in real life. Indeed, the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) leads all other sharks in attacks on people and boats, as well as fatalities.
Unprovoked Shark Attacks by Region of the World
The USA and Australia are the most shark-infested countries in the world. Since the year 1580, a total of 682 shark attacks have killed more than 155 people in Australia. In the United States, 1,563 attacks have already caused over 35 deaths.
The Great White Shark is considered the "#1 deadliest" due to having the most recorded unprovoked attacks and fatalities, followed closely by the Tiger Shark and Bull Shark, which are also highly dangerous due to their presence in coastal areas and opportunistic feeding habits. While Great Whites are powerful apex predators, Bull Sharks are known for their aggression and ability to live in both saltwater and freshwater, making encounters more likely.
Australia is one of the most shark-infested countries on earth, with around 900 shark attacks since records began in the late 18th-century, including more than 200 fatal encounters.
Just like we check under our beds for monsters, sharks check for dolphins before nodding off. That's right, the toughest kids on the undersea block swim in fear of dolphins.
According to the International Shark Attack File, humans have been subjects of 17 documented, unprovoked attacks by hammerhead sharks within the genus Sphyrna since 1580 AD. No human fatalities have been recorded.
#1 Most Scary Shark: Megalodon
Megalodon was the king of all sharks, a giant that could swallow a great white in one bite. At more than 50 feet long, it ruled the seas millions of years ago. It's extinct today, but the thought of a megalodon lurking in the deep is enough to give even the bravest diver nightmares.
Instead of swimming away: stand your ground, face the shark, make eye contact, extend your fins out if you can to ask for space, and if you absolutely need to then push firmly down on the top of the shark's head to guide them away from you, making sure to follow through as they swim away.
While box jellyfish are found in warm coastal waters around the world, the lethal varieties are found primarily in the Indo-Pacific region and northern Australia. This includes the Australian box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri), considered the most venomous marine animal.
Orcas are apex predators, meaning that they themselves have no natural predators. They are sometimes called "wolves of the sea", because they hunt in groups like wolf packs. Orcas hunt varied prey including fish, cephalopods, mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles.
Whatever your thoughts on the white shark, there is no denying that they are a powerful, perfectly evolved hunting specimen which deserves great respect. However, there is a growing notion that there may be some competition for the title of 'king of the ocean', this competition comes in the form of the killer whale.
If a shark charges, fight back
“That happens nine times out of 10.” If that does not work, and a shark tries to bite a swimmer—or even has a limb in its mouth—Naylor says the best course of action is to poke the shark hard in the eyes.
Meet the leopard shark aka the friendliest shark in the sea. The leopard shark poses virtually no danger to humans and often seeks out human interaction.
Two very distinct ways of hunting. So you might be wondering, who would win in a battle of Tiger Shark vs. Great White? A Great White, every single time.
Nurse Shark
The Nurse Shark is a favourite amongst diver's, they can be seen swimming calmy around them without any aggression. That's not to say that they don't get aggressive at all, when provoked, they have been documented to bite in self-defence.
It has traditionally been believed that sharks are repelled by the smell of a dead shark. However, modern research has had mixed results. Semiochemicals have shown some efficacy at getting sharks to leave a feeding area for a few minutes.
A common myth that I've seen many comment on my videos is that when dolphins are around the sharks are not, or that dolphins protect you from sharks, but in reality they always avoid the white sharks here, staying as far away as they can, but they don't scare the sharks away.
To tell if a shark is near, watch for nature's signs like diving birds or agitated fish, notice unusual shadows or fins, and be aware of areas with fishing activity, but most importantly, listen to lifeguard warnings, avoid murky water, and observe sharks' behavior for signs of excitement or erratic movements, indicating you should calmly leave the water.
While sharks don't see in colour, contrast can still play a role in how visible you are, especially in different lighting conditions. Some studies suggest that darker wetsuits can make you more visible against a bright surface when viewed from below, but this does not necessarily increase the risk of attack.
The most dangerous sharks in Australia, responsible for the majority of attacks, are the Great White, Tiger Shark, and Bull Shark, with the Bull Shark often cited as the most dangerous due to its aggressive nature, wide habitat (including freshwater rivers), and tendency to frequent shallow, populated coastal areas where humans swim. The Tiger Shark is also highly dangerous due to its large size and indiscriminate diet, while the Great White is notorious for its power and frequency in attacks.
Tamayo Perry was fatally attacked by a shark on June 23, 2024, while surfing near Goat Island off Oahu's North Shore, sustaining multiple bites, including severe injuries to his arm and leg, after which fellow surfers brought him to shore, where he was pronounced dead by paramedics. He was on a break from his job as a lifeguard when the incident occurred, and officials later posted shark warnings in the area.