Shark Attacks in 1989

In 1989, the Global Shark Attack File logged 53 shark attacks worldwide — 95.5% above the historical annual average. 6 were fatal (11.3%). United States accounted for the most incidents that year, with 25.

Total recorded

Fatal

Fatality rate

11.3%

Global avg 21.1%

vs. annual avg

96% above

Hist. avg 27.1/yr

Countries with the most incidents in 1989

Country	Recorded incidents
United States	25
Australia	13
South Africa	9
Italy	2
Papua New Guinea	1

Species most often involved in 1989

Species	Recorded incidents
White Shark	18
Tiger Shark	4
Bronze Whaler	2
Blue Shark	1
Silvertip Shark	1

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

Notable incidents in 1989

1988 All years →1990

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks were there in 1989?

The Global Shark Attack File records 53 shark attacks worldwide in 1989, with 6 fatalities.

What was the shark attack fatality rate in 1989?

11.3% of shark attacks recorded in 1989 were fatal.

Which countries had the most shark attacks in 1989?

The countries with the most recorded incidents in 1989 were United States (25), Australia (13), South Africa (9).

Which shark species were most often involved in 1989 attacks?

Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 1989 were White Shark, Tiger Shark, Bronze Whaler.