USA Today has released a report on the number of sharks attacks in the United States by state in 2025. Using data compiled by the media outlet as well as by the nonprofits Global Shark Attack File and TrackingSharks.com, there were at least 28 reported shark attacks nationwide last year.
In the top spot was Florida, with 15 attacks by such species as bull sharks and lemon sharks, in incidents where the shark was identified.
Next came California with 4 attacks, all attributed to great white sharks.
Hawai‘i had the third largest number of attacks with three, no fatalities. The attacks were attributed to a blacktop reef shark, a tiger shark and one unknown species.
There followed South Carolina with two, Texas with two, North Carolina with two, then Massachusetts and New York with one attack each.
The 28 reported attacks marked a decline from 36 in 2024.
"The odds of being killed by a shark in the United States are more than 4 million to 1, according to trackingsharks.com," reported USA Today. "Researchers say people are more likely to die by lighting strike (1 in nearly 80,000), accidental poisoning (1 in 193), or a hospital infection (1 in 38)."
Globally, there were 11 fatalities among 68 reported attacks.
Know your shark! Hawai‘i's Department of Land and Natural Resources has an online identification guide for the roughly 40 species of shark seen in Hawai‘i's waters, click here for more.
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
