After a brief decline, shark attacks around the world increased in 2021, officials from the Florida Museum of Natural History announced. Researchers at Florida Museum's International Shark Attack File (ISAF) recorded 73 unprovoked shark bites and 11 total fatalities, nine of which were unprovoked, in 2021. There were also 39 provoked shark bites during the same time span. The attacks represent a substantial boost from the 52 recorded in 2020, which was the lowest amount recorded in more than a decade. But ISAF representatives say beach closures during the pandemic offer a likely explanation for the jump. The 73 unprovoked attacks recorded in 2021 are now more in line with the five-year global average of 72, the organisation said. Most shark attacks in the US occurred in Florida, which accounted for 28 non-fatal bites. The state was followed by Hawaii, which recorded six attacks, and California with three. While shark attacks are returning to their historical average, shark-related fatalities are decreasing, the ISAF said. This is likely due to improved safety guidelines at beaches and fewer sharks along the coast.