Shark Attacks in 2012

In 2012, the Global Shark Attack File logged 117 shark attacks worldwide — 331.7% above the historical annual average. 9 were fatal (7.7%). United States accounted for the most incidents that year, with 64.

Total recorded

117

Fatal

Fatality rate

7.7%

Global avg 21.1%

vs. annual avg

332% above

Hist. avg 27.1/yr

Countries with the most incidents in 2012

Country	Recorded incidents
United States	64
Australia	26
South Africa	5
Reunion	3
Mexico	2

Species most often involved in 2012

Species	Recorded incidents
White Shark	15
Tiger Shark	13
Bull Shark	8
Blacktip Shark	3
Blue Shark	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 2012

2011 All years →2013

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks were there in 2012?

The Global Shark Attack File records 117 shark attacks worldwide in 2012, with 9 fatalities.

What was the shark attack fatality rate in 2012?

7.7% of shark attacks recorded in 2012 were fatal.

Which countries had the most shark attacks in 2012?

The countries with the most recorded incidents in 2012 were United States (64), Australia (26), South Africa (5).

Which shark species were most often involved in 2012 attacks?

Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 2012 were White Shark, Tiger Shark, Bull Shark.