Home / Shark Attacks / 1939 Shark Attacks in 1939 In 1939, the Global Shark Attack File logged 25 shark attacks worldwide — 8.4% below the historical annual average. 9 were fatal (36.0%). Australia accounted for the most incidents that year, with 9.
Fatality rate
36.0%
Global avg 21.2%
vs. annual avg
8% below
Hist. avg 27.3/yr
Countries with the most incidents in 1939 Species most often involved in 1939 Counts based on the species field in the Global Shark Attack File. Species identification in incident reports is not always reliable.
Notable incidents in 1939 Cabramatta Creek, George’s River, Australia Non-fatal
1939-12-28 · Swimming · Questionable incident, said to involve a 6' shark
Rubbish Dump Creek, Mackay, Australia Fatal
1939-12-14 · Swimming · 2.6 m [8.5'] shark landed 2 hours later
Wollongong, Australia Non-fatal
1939-11-23 · Blue pointer, 16'
Maroubra, Australia Non-fatal
1939-11-10 · whaler shark
Wollongong, Australia Non-fatal
1939-11-08
Wollongong, Australia Non-fatal
1939-11-05
Samoa Fatal
1939-11-01 · Fishing
Near Restoration Rock off Portland Roads, Australia Non-fatal
1939-10-24 · Free diving for trochus shell, swimming to dinghy · Tiger shark, 4.3 m [14'], 3 tooth fragments retrieved from his wounds
Kane'ohe Bay, Mokapu, O'ahu, United States Non-fatal
1939-10-03 · Spearfishing & had just speared a ulua · 1.5 m [5'] shark
Near Mabuiag Island, Australia Non-fatal
1939-09-26 · Pearl diving · Tiger shark
Frequently Asked Questions How many shark attacks were there in 1939? ▾ The Global Shark Attack File records 25 shark attacks worldwide in 1939, with 9 fatalities.
What was the shark attack fatality rate in 1939? ▾ 36.0% of shark attacks recorded in 1939 were fatal.
Which countries had the most shark attacks in 1939? ▾ The countries with the most recorded incidents in 1939 were Australia (9), United States (4), Papua New Guinea (3).
Which shark species were most often involved in 1939 attacks? ▾ Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 1939 were Tiger Shark, Blue Shark, Nurse Shark.
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