Shark Data Lab logoShark Data Lab

Shark Attacks in Tonga

The Global Shark Attack File records 18 shark attacks in Tonga between 1852 and 2012. Of those, 6 were fatal (33.3%). The species most often involved is the tiger shark.

Last recorded shark attack in TongaSeptember 9, 2012 · Eueiki IslandView details →

Total recorded

18

Fatal

6

Fatality rate

33.3%

Global avg 21.2%

Years covered

1852–2012

Recorded incidents by year

Peak 3 (1993)Avg 1.3
1852: 11858: 11931: 11958: 11967: 11980: 11993: 31995: 22000: 12002: 12004: 22006: 12010: 12012: 1Average: 1.3 per year
185219952012
14 years of data, 1852–2012
Shark attacks in Tonga per year, 1852–2012
YearAttacks
18521
18581
19311
19581
19671
19801
19933
19952
20001
20021
20042
20061
20101
20121

Species most often involved in Tonga

SpeciesRecorded incidents
Tiger Shark2
Grey Reef Shark1
Bull Shark1

Counts based on the species field in the Global Shark Attack File. Species identification in incident reports is not always reliable.

Activities most associated with incidents

  • Swimming4
  • Spearfishing3
  • Fishing2
  • Sea disaster2
  • Five men on makeshift raft after their 10 m fishing boat capsized and sank in rough seas. Survivors rescued after 7.5 hours in the water2

Recent recorded incidents in Tonga

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks have been recorded in Tonga?
The Global Shark Attack File records 18 shark attacks in Tonga, of which 6 were fatal.
What is the shark attack fatality rate in Tonga?
33.3% of recorded shark attacks in Tonga are fatal, compared with a global average of 21.2%.
Which shark species are most often involved in attacks in Tonga?
Based on incident records, the species most frequently identified in Tonga attacks are Tiger Shark, Grey Reef Shark, Bull Shark.
What activities are most associated with shark attacks in Tonga?
Swimming accounts for the largest share of recorded incidents in Tonga, with 4 cases logged.
Where does this shark attack data come from?
All figures are derived from the Global Shark Attack File (GSAF), a non-profit database of shark-human incident records. Shark Data Lab cleans, geocodes, and aggregates the GSAF dataset for analysis.