Fatal shark encounters in 2023 highest for 20 years

In 2023, public records documented a total of 84 shark attacks, with 18 proving fatal; five of these fatalities were attributed to encounters with great white sharks. Christian Kemper of TrackingSharks.com remarked, "There haven't been this many deaths in over 20 years. In some cases, the victims were completely consumed."

Among the 18 fatalities, four were surfers, three of whom hailed from South Australia. On May 13, 2023, Simon Bacanello, a 46-year-old teacher, disappeared during a great white shark attack while surfing, and his remains were never recovered. On October 31, Todd Gendle, 55, was struck by a shark described as "as long as a limousine."

Tragedy struck again on December 28 when 15-year-old Khai Cowley lost his life while surfing in South Australia. The final fatality occurred on December 30 when 39-year-old Jason Carter suffered a tiger shark attack while surfing on Maui. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he eventually succumbed to his injuries.

Christian Kemper identified five potential reasons for the surge in shark attacks in 2023, including overfishing and pollution impacting shark food sources, warmer ocean temperatures, a resurgence in the great white shark population, increased human presence in the water, and improved reporting. The complexity of these factors suggests that there is not a singular reason for the rise in attacks.

Regardless, entering the ocean means entering the shark's domain and becoming a part of the food chain. It is crucial to surf smart, always stay aware of your surroundings, and recognize the inherent risks associated with ocean activities.

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