<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australia recorded the world's highest total of fatal </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/shark-attack" rel="" target="_blank" title="shark attacks "><span>shark attacks</span></a><span> on humans last year, with more great whites gathering in waters popular with surfers, new research found.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The International Shark Attack File released today confirmed there were 12 fatalities (nine of which were classified unprovoked) worldwide, with Australia accounting for five.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Other countries to record deaths last year included the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/usa" rel="" target="_blank" title="United States"><span>United States</span></a><span>, Mozambique, South Africa and Vanuatu.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/nico-antic-shark-attack-victim-bondi-paddle-out/3ad16e16-a55e-45e3-8f2d-5b1d0c1ee7e8" rel="" target="_blank" title=" Parents of Sydney Harbour shark attack victim, 12, join poignant Bondi paddle out"><strong><span>Parents of Sydney Harbour shark attack victim, 12, join poignant Bondi paddle out</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The global total of 12 fatalities was up from the previous year's seven.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There were 65 confirmed unprovoked attacks globally, a jump from the 47 in 2024 and above the five-year average of 61.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Last year US waters had the most incidents - 25 - with 11 off the coast of Florida.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/shark-attacks-kill-five-people-off-australia-in-2025/30f15745-3975-495e-be72-666280b64973" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australia was in second spot recording 21 unprovoked attacks.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Researchers from the University of Florida who drew up the report noted an increase in fatalities from great whites.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bigger numbers of the species at "aggregation sites", beaches favoured by surfers, especially in Australia, may be behind this, they suggested.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/shark-attack-nsw-marine-biologist-responds-to-call-for-greater-shark-culling/23cb6ce9-67cd-43b2-95ed-3addea974d7a" rel="" target="_blank" title=" Marine biologist says calls for shark culling measures are 'misinformed' following surge in attacks along NSW coast"><strong><span>Marine biologist says calls for shark culling measures are 'misinformed' following surge in attacks along NSW coast</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Australian coastline is also home to the bull and tiger sharks, which along with great whites make up the "big three" predators.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But Director of the Florida Program for Shark Research Gavin Naylor highlighted the response of Australian emergency services to shark attacks.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"If these bites occurred anywhere other than Australia, they would probably have resulted in even more fatalities," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Their beach safety is second to none. Within minutes of a bite, they've got helicopters airborne ready to respond," Naylor said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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 </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bull-shark-attacks-weather-conditions-explained/50f4c39f-c750-45df-805c-0a5919029c10" rel="" target="_blank" title="perfect storm for bull sharks"><span>perfect storm for bull sharks</span></a><span> to lurk in coastal waters.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>