California Shark Incidents Hit Record High in 2025

California recorded its highest-ever number of shark incidents in 2025, totaling 10, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. While this marks a significant increase, only three of these incidents involved injuries, a fraction compared to previous years. The alarming trend persisted into 2026, with a surfer attacked by a shark in Mendocino County just two weeks into the new year.

This surge in shark activity follows a period of heightened awareness. In late 2025, a triathlete's death was attributed to a shark attack in Pacific Grove. In contrast, 2024 reported only three unprovoked attacks in California. Experts suggest that the presence of sharks, particularly great whites, is seasonal, with numbers typically decreasing in the open ocean by January or February.

Despite the recent incidents, authorities stress that the likelihood of a shark attack remains exceptionally low. Compared to other risks such as mosquito-borne illnesses or lightning strikes, shark encounters pose a minimal threat. Experts clarify that humans are not a typical prey item for sharks, underscoring the rarity of these events.