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Shark Attacks in 2017

In 2017, the Global Shark Attack File logged 141 shark attacks worldwide — 416.8% above the historical annual average. 8 were fatal (5.7%). United States accounted for the most incidents that year, with 67.

Total recorded

141

Fatal

8

Fatality rate

5.7%

Global avg 21.2%

vs. annual avg

417% above

Hist. avg 27.3/yr

Countries with the most incidents in 2017

CountryRecorded incidents
United States67
Australia24
Bahamas9
South Africa7
Spain4

Species most often involved in 2017

SpeciesRecorded incidents
White Shark18
Tiger Shark11
Bull Shark7
Nurse Shark4
Lemon Shark2

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

Notable incidents in 2017

2016All years →2018

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks were there in 2017?
The Global Shark Attack File records 141 shark attacks worldwide in 2017, with 8 fatalities.
What was the shark attack fatality rate in 2017?
5.7% of shark attacks recorded in 2017 were fatal.
Which countries had the most shark attacks in 2017?
The countries with the most recorded incidents in 2017 were United States (67), Australia (24), Bahamas (9).
Which shark species were most often involved in 2017 attacks?
Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 2017 were White Shark, Tiger Shark, Bull Shark.