USF St. Petersburg campus Honors Program Theses (Undergraduate)

First Advisor

Heidi Souders, Ph.d.

Second Advisor

Phillip Motta, Ph.D.

Publisher

University of South Florida St. Petersburg

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2025

Date Issued

December 2025

Abstract

Sharks have long captivated the public imagination, evoking fascination and fear through enduring myths and media portrayals of negative interactions with humans. In recent years, an increase in shark sightings and attacks along the U.S. coastline has prompted scientific inquiry and public concern. This literature review explores the relationship between rising global temperatures and the frequency of shark attacks, focusing on how climate change affects shark behavior, migration patterns, and habitat distribution. Sharks move into warmer waters as ocean temperatures rise, altering migration routes and prolonging active seasons. This increases the likelihood of shark-human encounters, particularly in coastal regions that have historically experienced fewer interactions. Due to its warm climate, Florida has seen a notable rise in shark-related incidents. The growing number of tourists in Florida, combined with an increasing shark population, amplifies the potential for encounters, even though an individual's chance of shark attack remains low. This review compares Florida's east coast trends with those of other coastal locations worldwide to determine whether these patterns are unique to Florida or part of a broader global trend. To quantify these trends, historical climate data were collected using NOAA datasets and analyzed through the KNMI Climate Explorer platform, while shark bite records were obtained from the International Shark Attack Files. Figures 2 and 3 yielded R² values of 0.5671 and 0.2828, respectively, indicating moderate and weak correlations between increasing sea surface temperatures and shark-human interactions. Graphs and statistical outputs were generated using the visualization tools available through KNMI Climate Explorer. Based on these results, the study concludes that rising ocean temperatures contribute to extended shark residency in coastal regions, increasing the probability of overlap with human activity and influencing the upward trend in reported shark encounters. By synthesizing historical data, current trends, and ecological insights, this review offers a nuanced perspective on the complexities of climate change and shark behavior, emphasizing the importance of treating climate change as an environmental and public safety issue. Overall, evidence suggests that sharks are spending longer periods in wintering grounds, increasing the duration of overlap with human recreational activity and contributing to higher rates of shark-human interactions.

Comments

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the University Honors Program University of South Florida, St. Petersburg December 5, 2025.

Download

Share

COinS