The Real Cost of Shark Panic on Coastal Economies

Sharks in the Headlines—Right on Cue

Just weeks before beach season hits full swing, something familiar is popping up in headlines from coast to coast: shark sightings.

From a 1,500-pound great white pinged off Nantucket¹ to drone footage capturing a juvenile gliding near Montauk², the buzz is building fast. News outlets are leaning in, and so is the public—with clicks, shares, and rising anxiety.

But here’s the thing: these sightings happen every year. Sharks migrate. Water warms. They show up where they’re supposed to. So why does it feel like the fear grows louder every summer?

Fear Travels Faster Than Facts

Shark attacks are incredibly rare. In 2024, there were just 47 unprovoked attacks globally—the lowest in more than 30 years³. Yet every new headline, drone clip, or viral tweet seems to ripple across communities like a tsunami of dread.

It’s not just in our heads. Shark panic has real-world consequences.

Events get canceled. Beaches shut down. Tourists hesitate to book. Families skip the shore altogether. And for coastal towns whose summer economy depends on surfboards, sandals, and seafood platters, the impact can be brutal.

In places like California, Cape Cod, and parts of South Africa, studies show that even a single reported shark incident can lead to millions in lost revenue⁴—not because of danger, but because of the perception of danger.

Sharks Aren’t the Problem. Our Reactions Are.

Let’s be clear: sharks are not out to get us.

They’re apex predators that help keep our oceans in balance. They cull sick and weak species, regulate fish populations, and support healthy marine ecosystems⁵.

But in the public mind? Sharks are still typecast as villains. Hollywood, media, and mythology have done their work—and today’s 30-second news cycles only reinforce it.

When people fear the water, they stay out. And when they stay out, whole communities suffer.

So What’s the Solution?

At Orsinova, we believe that safety and sustainability should go hand-in-hand.

We’re building the world’s first fully autonomous, orca-inspired coastal protection system—a smart, AI-driven deterrent that mimics the natural predator-prey relationship between orcas and sharks⁶. No nets. No chemicals. No harm to marine life.

Our platform is designed to restore confidence, not by scaring the public, but by quietly doing what nature already does: keeping sharks away through instinctual, non-lethal cues. The goal? A safer coastline, a healthier ocean, and a summer season without panic.

We Don’t Need More Fear—We Need Smarter Solutions

Fear is contagious. But so is trust.

When communities see that their coastlines are being protected with intelligence, not force, it changes the conversation. It moves us beyond panic and into progress. It invites swimmers, surfers, and sunbathers back into the water—and puts local economies back on stable ground.

This isn’t about eliminating sharks. It’s about coexisting with them—intelligently.

Looking Ahead

This summer, as sightings continue and stories swirl, let’s remember: sharks are part of the ocean. They’ve always been here. And with the right tools, we can keep everyone—humans and marine life—safer.

Orsinova is committed to changing how we think about marine safety. We’re not here to chase headlines. We’re here to build trust, technology, and a new future for coastal protection.