A new report shows that Florida continues to be a world leader when it comes to shark attacks. 

Most of the attacks occurred in Volusia County. 

Florida’s shark attacks last year represented almost a third of all bites worldwide. Sixteen attacks were documented here — just two shy of the total in Australia. 

Gavin Naylor of the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida says most of the attacks occurred off New Smyrna Beach, where the surf is good and bait fish plentiful. 

“You’ve got a combination of sharks looking for food, bait fish, and surfers looking for good waves. And one leads to the other, and a few people get their ankles nibbled by mistake.” 

Worldwide the number of shark attacks was down, but fatalities were up. The pandemic has prevented researchers from gathering information from health workers to help explain why.