Home / Shark Attacks / 1953 Shark Attacks in 1953 In 1953, the Global Shark Attack File logged 36 shark attacks worldwide — 32.0% above the historical annual average. 6 were fatal (16.7%). Australia accounted for the most incidents that year, with 12.
Fatality rate
16.7%
Global avg 21.2%
vs. annual avg
32% above
Hist. avg 27.3/yr
Countries with the most incidents in 1953 Species most often involved in 1953 Counts based on the species field in the Global Shark Attack File. Species identification in incident reports is not always reliable.
Notable incidents in 1953 Second Beach, Port St. Johns, South Africa Non-fatal
1953-12-29 · Swimming · Said to involve a >4 m [13'] shark
Port Elizabeth, South Africa Non-fatal
1953-12-21 · Swimming
Palm Beach, Australia Non-fatal
1953-12-12 · Swimming or wading out to warn bathers that a shark had been seen
Maroubra Beach, Australia Non-fatal
1953-11-30 · Surf skiing · 3.7 [12'] shark
Boat Harbour, north of Cronulla, Australia Non-fatal
1953-09-30
Bohol, Philippines Fatal
1953-09-26
Santa Catalina Island, Los Angeles County, United States Non-fatal
1953-09-19 · Scuba diving
200 miles east of Savannah, United States Non-fatal
1953-09-17 · Aircaft exploded
Rockaway Beach, United States Non-fatal
1953-09-02 · Surf fishing · 80-lb sand shark
Waiau, Pearl Harbor, O'ahu, United States Non-fatal
1953-09-01 · Crabbing · Hammerhead shark, 1.5 m [5']
Frequently Asked Questions How many shark attacks were there in 1953? ▾ The Global Shark Attack File records 36 shark attacks worldwide in 1953, with 6 fatalities.
What was the shark attack fatality rate in 1953? ▾ 16.7% of shark attacks recorded in 1953 were fatal.
Which countries had the most shark attacks in 1953? ▾ The countries with the most recorded incidents in 1953 were Australia (12), United States (11), Mexico (2).
Which shark species were most often involved in 1953 attacks? ▾ Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 1953 were Spotted Wobbegong, Bull Shark, White Shark.
Shark Data Lab