Yes, the number of shark attacks is above average

The number of shark attacks across the country is slightly above average for this time of year, and many of the incidents have occurred farther north than usual.

There have been 23 attacks in 2015, of which one in Hawaii was fatal, according to data from the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida.

Typically, the U.S. sees about 30 to 40 attacks, of which either zero or one is deadly, the Shark Attack File reported. To reach more than half the average number of attacks so early in the season and already have a fatality puts this year a bit above average, said George Burgess, the director of the Shark Attack File.

North Carolina has already seen six attacks this year, Burgess said. Two of the attacks occurred in the Outer Banks over the weekend. The state typically only sees one or two per year, Frank Schwartz, a shark biologist with the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, told National Geographic.

South Carolina has also seen its share of attacks — three so far, Burgess said.

The proximity of fisherman and swimmers is of particular concern in last weekend's attacks, Burgess told LiveScience. "Fishing off a beach where there are swimmers and surfers makes for a really bad mix," he said.

Drought conditions in the Carolinas have led to decreased fresh water runoff and thus to saltier sea water, which sharks prefer, Burgess added. According to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor, about 65% of North Carolina and 52% of South Carolina were either abnormally dry or in drought conditions.

Baby sea turtles and menhaden fish have been more plentiful than usual, providing more attraction for the sharks, Burgess said.

The "ever-increasing amount of time spent in the sea by humans, which increases the opportunities for interaction between the two affected parties" could be one reason for the slight uptick in attacks, the Shark Attack File website reported.

In addition, 24/7 news and social media coverage tends to exaggerate the danger. Bees, wasps and snakes are each responsible for far more deaths annually in the U.S. than sharks, the Shark Attack File said.

"The chances of dying ... are markedly higher from many other causes (such as drowning and cardiac arrest) than from shark attack," according to the Shark Attack File.

In Florida, where shark attacks are more common, the 11 attacks so far this year have received little attention, Burgess said. However, publicity about the attacks might cause swimmers to think twice as we approach the busy Fourth of July weekend.

"I bet fewer and fewer people are swimming these days, so opportunities for interactions may be diminished for a while," said Daniel Abel, a marine scientist at Coastal Carolina University.

But Burgess remains concerned about the big holiday. "I can almost guarantee there'll be a bite or two this weekend," he said.