Apparently sharks had a bit of a moment in 2025.

According to the annual International Shark Attack File from the Florida Museum of Natural History, deaths from unprovoked shark attacks rose 125% worldwide.

Which is the kind of statistic that makes you pause mid–beach vacation and reconsider the philosophical meaning of “going for a quick swim.”

Last year there were 65 unprovoked shark bites globally, resulting in nine deaths, compared to four the year before.

There were also 25 “provoked” bites, which is the scientific community’s very polite way of saying that a human did something questionable first.

The United States led the world with 25 unprovoked attacks, representing about 38% of the global total.

Which raises several questions.

First: are we about to see the cinematic prophecy of Sharknado finally fulfilled?

For a brief shining moment in the 2010s, that franchise had the cultural momentum of a flying shark filled with bad decisions.

Chainsaws.
Tornadoes.
Sharks falling from the sky with an enthusiasm that suggested marine life had collectively decided humans were annoying.

The films were gloriously ridiculous.

Yet they have quietly faded into the background like many things that once dominated cable television.

Which makes me wonder if sharks are simply trying to revive the brand.

“Listen,” the sharks may be saying.
“We had a whole cinematic universe and you people stopped watching.”

Of course the more famous shark franchise remains the original masterpiece directed by Steven Spielberg.

Jaws.

A film so effective that decades later people still hear two musical notes and immediately reconsider their life choices in the ocean.

In fairness to the sharks, the numbers still need context.

Millions of people swim in the ocean every year.

Statistically speaking, you are far more likely to be harmed by a vending machine, a ladder, or an overly enthusiastic coconut.

But statistics have never been particularly good at calming the imagination.

Because when people hear “great white shark,” the brain does not immediately think that this is a rare probabilistic event. It thinks,
Teeth!

Many of the fatalities last year involved bites from the formidable Great White Shark, with Australia seeing a noticeable increase compared with recent years.

And while scientists emphasize that sharks are not hunting humans like seafood appetizers, the ocean does remain a place where we are not technically in charge.

Which may be the real lesson.

When we enter the ocean, we are visiting someone else’s living room.

A very large living room.

Filled with ancient, perfectly engineered predators who have been navigating those waters long before humans invented beach umbrellas and waterproof Bluetooth speakers.

Most of the time the arrangement works out beautifully.

Humans swim. Sharks mind their business. But occasionally the ocean reminds us that we are guests.

Which leads to a few gentle thoughts when heading into the water this summer.

First, try not to provoke sharks.

The phrase “provoked bite” suggests someone somewhere looked at a shark and thought,
“You know what would be a great idea”

Second, remember that sharks are not villains.

They are simply very good at being sharks.

And finally, if the sky suddenly darkens and you hear a faint whirling sound above the waves, you may want to exit the water calmly and look up.

Because if Sharknado does return, it would be nice to say we saw it coming.