

If you notice sharks nearby, then you should "slowly and calmly" make your way back to shore, the university notes.

Some shark species can migrate into lower salinity environments, including estuaries and river mouths," Latour explained. "Most sharks can be found in the near coastal ocean extending to the edge of the continental shelves, primarily in temperate and subtropical waters. "In Florida, we're getting those spawning grounds in places like the Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic coast," Corwin said about why more sharks may be lured to the Sunshine State. In 2022, Florida accounted for 39% of unprovoked attacks in the U.S., with Volusia County reporting the most bites, per the Shark Attack File. Australia recorded the second-highest number of unprovoked shark bites in 2022, representing nearly 16% of the 2022 worldwide total, though it did not report any shark-related fatalities. tops the charts when it comes to unprovoked shark bites, accounting for about 72% of those recorded worldwide in 2022, according to the University of Florida's records.

Where are unprovoked shark bites most common?
