Shark Attacks in 1983

In 1983, the Global Shark Attack File logged 50 shark attacks worldwide — 84.6% above the historical annual average. 4 were fatal (8.0%). United States accounted for the most incidents that year, with 22.

Total recorded

Fatal

Fatality rate

8.0%

Global avg 21.1%

vs. annual avg

85% above

Hist. avg 27.1/yr

Countries with the most incidents in 1983

Country	Recorded incidents
United States	22
South Africa	14
Australia	4
Bahamas	4
Greece	1

Species most often involved in 1983

Species	Recorded incidents
Tiger shark	4
Invalid	2
Raggedtooth shark	2
Shark involvement prior to death was not confirmed	2
White 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 1983

1982 All years →1984

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks were there in 1983?

The Global Shark Attack File records 50 shark attacks worldwide in 1983, with 4 fatalities.

What was the shark attack fatality rate in 1983?

8.0% of shark attacks recorded in 1983 were fatal.

Which countries had the most shark attacks in 1983?

The countries with the most recorded incidents in 1983 were United States (22), South Africa (14), Australia (4).

Which shark species were most often involved in 1983 attacks?

Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 1983 were Tiger shark, Invalid, Raggedtooth shark.