Name: Shark Data Lab — Global Shark Attack Database
Creator: Shark Data Lab
License: https://www.sharkattackfile.net/incidentlog.htm
Keywords: shark attack, shark attack map, shark attacks by country, shark attacks by year, GSAF, Global Shark Attack File

Question 1

How many shark attacks happen each year?

Accepted Answer

The Global Shark Attack File records 7,100 shark attacks across the full 1900–2026 window. The most recent year on file (2026) reflects ongoing data collection and may revise upward.

Question 2

What percentage of shark attacks are fatal?

Accepted Answer

21.1% of recorded shark attacks are fatal. Most encounters are exploratory bites; survival depends heavily on bite location, blood loss control, and emergency response time.

Question 3

Which country has the most shark attacks?

Accepted Answer

United States has the most recorded incidents at 2,582, followed by Australia (1,534) and South Africa (600).

Question 4

Which shark species attack humans most often?

Accepted Answer

Across all recorded incidents the species most frequently identified are White Shark, Tiger Shark, Bull Shark, Nurse Shark, Blacktip Shark. Species identification by witnesses is unreliable, so these are best treated as the species most often reported, not necessarily the species responsible.

Question 5

Are shark attacks becoming more common?

Accepted Answer

Reported incidents have risen over the last several decades, but most researchers attribute this to better reporting, growing coastal populations, and more time spent in the water — not to a change in shark behavior. The fatality rate has fallen substantially over the same period.

Question 6

What's the difference between a provoked and unprovoked attack?

Accepted Answer

An unprovoked attack is one initiated by a shark on a live human in the shark's natural habitat without human provocation. A provoked attack involves a person initiating contact (e.g., spearfishing, removing a hook, attempting to touch the shark). GSAF records both and distinguishes them in the type field.

Question 7

Where does this data come from?

Accepted Answer

All figures are sourced from the Global Shark Attack File, a non-profit shark-human encounter registry. Shark Data Lab cleans, geocodes, and aggregates the GSAF dataset for analysis.

Question 8

Can I filter the data by species or country?

Accepted Answer

Yes — use the filter controls on the interactive map above. For pre-built breakdowns, see the global statistics page or any of the country and year landing pages.

World Shark Attack Map & Database

Key findings from the data

What this map shows

Where the data comes from

Coverage

A note on the data

Explore the data

Frequently Asked Questions