Are sharks getting hungrier for humans?

Summer holidaymakers may be extra cautious this year due to recent high-profile shark attacks, including the death of a young Russian man in Egypt and another incident in Mexico. However, scientists reveal that the trend for shark attacks remains consistent with previous years, with no increase in attacks on humans.

Shark attacks are not increasing in the short term, according to Professor Gavin Naylor, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Florida. As of July 17, 2023, there have been 38 unprovoked shark attacks worldwide, with seven being fatal. In 2022, there were 57 unprovoked attacks, resulting in five fatalities. On average, there have been 74 unprovoked bites per year since 2013. Overall, shark attack numbers are fairly steady, with some years better than others, as stated by Paul Cox, managing director of the UK organization Shark Trust.

Experts, including Paul Cox and Professor Naylor, note a decline in global shark populations overall, with 2022 showing a decrease in unprovoked shark bites compared to the five-year average. Only a few species, like the Oceanic white tip and the great white, are prone to attacking humans out of the 500 shark species globally. However, long-term data reveals a rise in reported unprovoked shark attacks since 1960, with a significant spike starting in the late 1980s. The reasons for this long-term increase remain under investigation.

The increase in reported shark attacks from 1960 to 1990 may be due to increased “contact opportunities” from a growing human population and changes in behavior. More people in the water today compared to 50 years ago could also explain the rise in reported attacks. The “Jaws effect” in the 1970s and 1980s raised awareness of water dangers, potentially contributing to a temporary decline in attacks, but attack figures have since risen again. Professor Naylor refutes the idea that sharks are moving closer to the coast, stating they have always been present in relatively shallow waters, and their proximity to the shore isn’t a major factor in shark attack numbers.

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