Australia heads world table for fatal shark attacks

Australia recorded the world's highest total of fatal shark attacks on humans last year, with more great whites gathering in waters popular with surfers, new research found.

The International Shark Attack File released today confirmed there were 12 fatalities (nine of which were classified unprovoked) worldwide, with Australia accounting for five.

Other countries to record deaths last year included the United States, Mozambique, South Africa and Vanuatu.

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The global total of 12 fatalities was up from the previous year's seven.

There were 65 confirmed unprovoked attacks globally, a jump from the 47 in 2024 and above the five-year average of 61.

Last year US waters had the most incidents - 25 - with 11 off the coast of Florida.

Australia was in second spot recording 21 unprovoked attacks.

Researchers from the University of Florida who drew up the report noted an increase in fatalities from great whites.

Bigger numbers of the species at "aggregation sites", beaches favoured by surfers, especially in Australia, may be behind this, they suggested.

READ MORE: Marine biologist says calls for shark culling measures are 'misinformed' following surge in attacks along NSW coast

The Australian coastline is also home to the bull and tiger sharks, which along with great whites make up the "big three" predators.

But Director of the Florida Program for Shark Research Gavin Naylor highlighted the response of Australian emergency services to shark attacks.

"If these bites occurred anywhere other than Australia, they would probably have resulted in even more fatalities," he said.

"Their beach safety is second to none. Within minutes of a bite, they've got helicopters airborne ready to respond," Naylor said.

This year began with a grim reminder of the danger from sharks when record rain in just 48 hours in NSW - considered a once-in-a-500 year event - created a perfect storm for bull sharks to lurk in coastal waters.

Last month, eastern Australia recorded four shark attacks in the spate of 48 hours, which included the fatal mauling of 12-year-old Nico Antic off Sydney by a suspected bull shark.

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