Shark attacks up in ’21 after 3 years of decline

Pandemic caused drastic drop in ’20, researcher says.

GAINESVILLE, FLA. — Shark attacks increased around the world in 2021 following three consecutive years of decline, though beach closures in 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic could be making the numbers seem more dramatic than they are, officials said last week.

Researchers with the International Shark Attack File recorded 73 unprovoked incidents last year, compared to 52 bites in 2020, according to a new report. The research is administered by the Florida Museum of Natural History and the American Elasmobranch Society.

International Shark Attack File manager Tyler Bowling pointed out that 52 bites in 2020 were the lowest documented in more than a decade. The 73 bites in 2021 more closely align with the five-year global average of 72.

“Shark bites dropped drastically in 2020 due to the pandemic,” Bowling said in a statement. “This past year was much more typical, with average bite numbers from an assortment of species and fatalities from white sharks, bull sharks and tiger sharks.”

Researchers saw a total of 11 shark-related fatalities last year, with nine considered unprovoked. Australia led the world with three unprovoked deaths, followed by New Caledonia with two. The United States, Brazil, New Zealand and South Africa each had a single unprovoked fatal shark attack.

Unprovoked attacks occur when there is no human provocation. Provoked attacks are defined as when humans initiate contact, such as divers trying to touch a shark or fishermen removing a shark from a fishing net.

Florida has led the U.S. and the rest of the world in unprovoked shark bites for decades, and the trend continued in 2021, researchers said. Florida had 28 unprovoked bites last year, compared to 19 in the rest of the U.S. and 26 total outside the U.S. This is consistent with Florida’s most recent five-year annual average of 25 attacks. Of Florida’s 28 unprovoked bites, 17 were in Volusia County, which includes Daytona Beach.

The single fatal unprovoked shark attack in the U.S. in 2021 was in California. A man was killed while boogie boarding in Morro Bay on Christmas Eve.

With a 129-121 victory over the Lakers on Sunday at State Farm Arena, the Hawks remained the hottest team in the Eastern Conference, their win streak now up to seven games.

Atlanta improved its record to 24-25. A five-game homestand continues today when it hosts the Raptors.

Trae Young led the Hawks with 36 points and 12 assists, with John Collins adding 20 points, 11 rebounds and three steals.

The Hawks entered the fourth quarter trailing the Lakers 10191 after a rough end to the third quarter. They responded with a strong fourth quarter and got timely plays from second-year center Onyeka Okongwu to polish off the win, ultimately winning the final period 38-20.

Malik Monk led the Lakers (2427) with 33 points, going 8-for-14 from 3-point range, with Anthony Davis adding 27 points and Russell

Westbrook contributing 20 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds. Lebron James missed the game with left knee soreness/effusion.

Until a free throw by Danilo Gallinari with 4.5 seconds left in the third, which came after a technical foul on Carmelo Anthony, the Hawks hadn’t scored since a dunk by Clint Capela (15 points, nine rebounds, three assists) at the 3:20 mark. But a bench group of Lou Williams, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Gallinari and Okongwu, plus Young, found a rhythm in the fourth quarter. A dunk by Okongwu (assisted by Bogdanovic), a layup by Young and a 3-pointer by Williams gave the Hawks a 107-106 lead with 7:26 to play.

The Hawks’ bench has been clutch during this winning streak, and that continued Sunday, as the bench players tallied 44 points. Okongwu ended up with 16 points, including 12 in the fourth.

A 3-pointer by Young gave the Hawks a four-point lead with 53.1 seconds to go. Young and Bogdanovic combined to go 4-for-4 from the line in the final minute, despite the Hawks’ overall

struggles at the line (21-for32, or 65.6%).

Despite a disappointing 17-25 start to the season, which dropped the Hawks

to No. 12 in the Eastern Conference standings, they’re starting to turn the season around by getting hot at the right time.

SAN LUIS OBISPO TRIBUNE VIA AP A sign warns beachgoers of a shark attack on Dec. 24 in Morro Bay, Calif. It was the only fatal unprovoked shark attack reported in the U.S. in 2021.

CURTIS COMPTON/CURTIS.COMPTON@AJC.COM Trae Young reacts after hitting a 3-pointer to give the Hawks a fivepoint lead over the Lakers late in the game Sunday at State Farm Arena. Young had 36 points.

CURTIS COMPTON/CURTIS.COMPTON@AJC.COM Hawks forwards Kevin Huerter (left) and Danilo Gallinari slap hands during a 129-121 win over the Lakers on Sunday at State Farm Arena.