Shark Attacks in 1959

In 1959, the Global Shark Attack File logged 93 shark attacks worldwide — 243.4% above the historical annual average. 24 were fatal (25.8%). United States accounted for the most incidents that year, with 27.

Total recorded

Fatal

Fatality rate

25.8%

Global avg 21.1%

vs. annual avg

243% above

Hist. avg 27.1/yr

Countries with the most incidents in 1959

Country	Recorded incidents
United States	27
Australia	20
Papua New Guinea	9
South Africa	5
Philippines	5

Species most often involved in 1959

Species	Recorded incidents
White shark	6
Tiger shark	5
Invalid	5
Shark involvement prior to death was not confirmed	4
Hammerhead shark	4

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

Notable incidents in 1959

1958 All years →1960

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks were there in 1959?

The Global Shark Attack File records 93 shark attacks worldwide in 1959, with 24 fatalities.

What was the shark attack fatality rate in 1959?

25.8% of shark attacks recorded in 1959 were fatal.

Which countries had the most shark attacks in 1959?

The countries with the most recorded incidents in 1959 were United States (27), Australia (20), Papua New Guinea (9).

Which shark species were most often involved in 1959 attacks?

Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 1959 were White shark, Tiger shark, Invalid.