Volusia County in Florida has recorded the highest number of shark attacks in the world from 1882 to 2023.
Sharks surround surfers at New Smyrna beach. Photo: Fox News
Data from the Florida Museum's International Shark Attack File (ISAF), the world's only comprehensive database of all shark attacks, shows Florida leading the list with 259 incidents from 2012 to 2021, far surpassing Australia in second place, Business Insider reported on September 24. However, Volusia County, home to popular beaches like Daytona and New Smyrna, on Florida's eastern coast, is dubbed the "shark bite capital of the world." It's where swimmers and surfers are most vulnerable to shark attacks in the state, with 343 recorded shark bites from 1882 to 2023—more than double the number in neighboring Brevard County, which ranks second, according to ISAF.
Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Shark Research Program, said the reason is that the area off Volusia has a high density of mullet and oil sardines and many high waves for surfing.
"The water flowing out of Ponce Bay, north of the area with the most shark attacks, consistently has a high density of predatory fish. This area is also a high-energy environment with significant wave activity. The swirling water restricts visibility and attracts surfers. Meanwhile, the predatory fish attract sharks, but the poor visibility in the area makes catching them difficult, leading sharks to target arms or legs sticking out of surfboards."
ISAF data indicates that the activity, location, and time most vulnerable to shark attacks are surfing off the coast of Volusia County between 2 and 3 p.m. in September. Sharks hunt in Volusia County waters, and most of the species involved in accidents include blacktip sharks, bull sharks, and Requiem sharks.
Since the beginning of 2023, seven shark attacks have been recorded in Volusia County. A surfer was bitten in the face in the waters off New Smyrna Beach on September 12. Mark Summersett, 38, was attacked while surfing near the beach's breakwater, according to Marine Rescue Captain Alex Miller.
An Khang (According to Business Insider )
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