Researchers believe hungry sharks have been stealing fish from anglers in Florida.

A study led by Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution discovered that 43 per cent of fishermen experience underwater heists caused by shark depredation.

The investigation is said to have found that bull sharks and sandbar sharks are among the culprits in stealing fish.

The study involved social media analysis, online surveys, and genetic sampling. It discovered that snapper-grouper species were the most frequently targeted and that shark depredation was most prevalent in the Florida Keys and southeast regions.

The research, published in the ICES Journal of Marine Science, suggests that seasonal and regional factors influence the frequency of shark depredation but that fishing pressure and fishing techniques may play an even more significant role.

Experts said that the findings could aid fishery managers in balancing shark conservation efforts with the needs of recreational fishing.