Shark Attacks in 1996

In 1996, the Global Shark Attack File logged 61 shark attacks worldwide — 125.1% above the historical annual average. 11 were fatal (18.0%). United States accounted for the most incidents that year, with 27.

Total recorded

Fatal

Fatality rate

18.0%

Global avg 21.1%

vs. annual avg

125% above

Hist. avg 27.1/yr

Countries with the most incidents in 1996

Country	Recorded incidents
United States	27
Australia	12
South Africa	4
Brazil	4
Papua New Guinea	3

Species most often involved in 1996

Species	Recorded incidents
White Shark	10
Tiger Shark	6
Nurse Shark	2
Spotted Wobbegong	2
Bronze Whaler	2

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

Notable incidents in 1996

1995 All years →1997

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks were there in 1996?

The Global Shark Attack File records 61 shark attacks worldwide in 1996, with 11 fatalities.

What was the shark attack fatality rate in 1996?

18.0% of shark attacks recorded in 1996 were fatal.

Which countries had the most shark attacks in 1996?

The countries with the most recorded incidents in 1996 were United States (27), Australia (12), South Africa (4).

Which shark species were most often involved in 1996 attacks?

Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 1996 were White Shark, Tiger Shark, Nurse Shark.