Home / Shark Attacks / 1997 Shark Attacks in 1997 In 1997, the Global Shark Attack File logged 57 shark attacks worldwide — 108.9% above the historical annual average. 8 were fatal (14.0%). United States accounted for the most incidents that year, with 28.
Fatality rate
14.0%
Global avg 21.2%
vs. annual avg
109% above
Hist. avg 27.3/yr
Countries with the most incidents in 1997 Species most often involved in 1997 Counts based on the species field in the Global Shark Attack File. Species identification in incident reports is not always reliable.
Notable incidents in 1997 Pringle Bay, 44 miles southeast of Cape Town, South Africa Fatal
1997-12-27 · Spearfishing · White shark
St. Francis Bay, South Africa Non-fatal
1997-12-27 · Sitting on surfboard
Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, United States Non-fatal
1997-12-24 · Shark involvement not confirmed
Hollywood Beach, Broward County, United States Non-fatal
1997-12-24 · Swimming
Albany, Australia Non-fatal
1997-11-08 · Scuba diving (submerged riding a scooter) · White shark
Botany Bay?, Australia Non-fatal
1997-11-04 · Shark involvement prior to death suspected but not confirmed
United States Non-fatal
1997-11-04 · Swimming
Waiokapua Bay/Majors Bay, Brennecke Beach, Poipu, Kaua'i Island, United States Non-fatal
1997-10-27 · Body boarding or surfing · Tiger shark, 4 m to 4.3 m [13' to 14']
Cottesloe Beach, Perth, Australia Non-fatal
1997-10-27 · Surf-skiing · 5.5 m [18'] white shark
North Jetty, Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, St. Lucie County, United States Non-fatal
1997-10-23 · Surfing · Possibly a blacktip shark
Frequently Asked Questions How many shark attacks were there in 1997? ▾ The Global Shark Attack File records 57 shark attacks worldwide in 1997, with 8 fatalities.
What was the shark attack fatality rate in 1997? ▾ 14.0% of shark attacks recorded in 1997 were fatal.
Which countries had the most shark attacks in 1997? ▾ The countries with the most recorded incidents in 1997 were United States (28), Australia (10), Brazil (5).
Which shark species were most often involved in 1997 attacks? ▾ Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 1997 were White Shark, Tiger Shark, Blacktip Shark.
Shark Data Lab