Shark Attack Data Unveils Australia’s Top Hotspots for Incidents

Recent shark attacks off the New South Wales coastline have raised concerns among beachgoers in Australia. Within a 48-hour period, four incidents were recorded, prompting the closure of numerous Sydney beaches. The latest attack involved a 39-year-old man who was bitten while surfing near Point Plomer, close to Crescent Head, yet he managed to avoid serious injury.

Details on Recent Shark Incidents in Australia

These events mark a worrying trend, as they represent the first occurrence of four shark bites in January since 2022. Authorities noted significant injuries from earlier incidents, including a boy and a 27-year-old man. Fortunately, another young surfer escaped unharmed.

Australia’s Shark Attack Statistics

• Almost 1,300 shark incidents documented over the last two centuries.
• In 2025, 23 shark bite incidents occurred across Australia, as reported by an analysis of the Australian Shark-Incident Database.
• Five of these incidents were fatal, with notable cases including:
• Lance Appleby, 28, at Granites Beach, South Australia.
• Steven Jeffrey Payne, 37, at Wharton Beach, Western Australia.
• Charlize Zmuda, 17, at Woorim Beach, Bribie Island.
• March is the most dangerous month, with seven bites recorded in NSW and WA.

Most encounters are classified as unprovoked, indicating that the shark was in its natural habitat when the incident occurred. The data, compiled by the Taronga Conservation Society Australia and others, suggests that between 2010 and 2020, the average number of shark bite incidents has increased significantly.

Long-Term Trends in Shark Bite Incidents

The dataset shows that the annual average of shark bites has consistently risen since the 1950s. In the current decade, approximately 27 bites happen each year, with an average of three fatalities. In contrast, the data for 2025 revealed fewer incidents but a slightly elevated fatality rate compared to previous years.

Shark Attack Distribution Across States

• NSW holds the record with 465 known shark bites over 235 years.
• Queensland recorded 377 bites, while Western Australia had 241.

Key shark species involved in incidents include great whites, tiger sharks, wobbegongs, and bull sharks. Great whites alone account for 382 of the recorded incidents since 1791, underscoring the ongoing need for safety measures among water users.

Global Context of Shark Attacks

Australia ranks second in the world for shark bite incidents, averaging 22 per year based on data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. In 2020, the deadliest year of the century, eight fatalities were reported. Comparatively, the United States recorded 28 unprovoked incidents in 2024, illustrating the global nature of shark interactions.

Given the data and recent spikes in shark incidents, increased awareness and safety practices are essential for those who frequent Australia’s waters.