Home / Shark Attacks / 1985 Shark Attacks in 1985 In 1985, the Global Shark Attack File logged 37 shark attacks worldwide — 35.6% above the historical annual average. 3 were fatal (8.1%). United States accounted for the most incidents that year, with 21.
Fatality rate
8.1%
Global avg 21.2%
vs. annual avg
36% above
Hist. avg 27.3/yr
Countries with the most incidents in 1985 Species most often involved in 1985 Counts based on the species field in the Global Shark Attack File. Species identification in incident reports is not always reliable.
Notable incidents in 1985 Garvies Beach, South Africa Non-fatal
1985-12-21 · Surfing
New Hanover County, United States Non-fatal
1985-12-09 · Sandtiger shark
Gladstone, Australia Non-fatal
1985-11-10 · Fishing · 1m shark
Southeast Farallon Island, Farallon Islands, United States Non-fatal
1985-11-04 · Boat · 5.2 to 5.8 m white shark
5 miles south of Redondo Beach, United States Non-fatal
1985-11-02 · Fishing
East London, South Africa Non-fatal
1985-10-23 · Body boarding · 2.5 m [8.25'] white shark
Point Conception, Santa Barbara County, United States Non-fatal
1985-10-21 · Diving for abalone (Hookah) · 2 m to 2.5 m [6.75' to 8.25'] sixgill or sevengill shark
Little Glass Shacks, Princeville, Kaua'i, United States Non-fatal
1985-10-17 · Body boarding · Thought to involve a Tiger shark, 3.7 m [12']
Barbers Point, O'ahu, United States Non-fatal
1985-10-11 · Floating on inner tube after diving for lobster · 1.8 m to 2.4 m [6' to 8'] shark
Gulf Shores, Baldwin County, United States Non-fatal
1985-10-04 · Fishing · 6', 100-lb shark
Frequently Asked Questions How many shark attacks were there in 1985? ▾ The Global Shark Attack File records 37 shark attacks worldwide in 1985, with 3 fatalities.
What was the shark attack fatality rate in 1985? ▾ 8.1% of shark attacks recorded in 1985 were fatal.
Which countries had the most shark attacks in 1985? ▾ The countries with the most recorded incidents in 1985 were United States (21), South Africa (9), Australia (2).
Which shark species were most often involved in 1985 attacks? ▾ Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 1985 were White Shark, Tiger Shark, Dusky Shark.
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