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Shark Attacks in 1998

In 1998, the Global Shark Attack File logged 65 shark attacks worldwide — 138.2% above the historical annual average. 9 were fatal (13.8%). United States accounted for the most incidents that year, with 26.

Total recorded

65

Fatal

9

Fatality rate

13.8%

Global avg 21.2%

vs. annual avg

138% above

Hist. avg 27.3/yr

Countries with the most incidents in 1998

CountryRecorded incidents
United States26
South Africa19
Australia5
Brazil4
Reunion3

Species most often involved in 1998

SpeciesRecorded incidents
White Shark12
Tiger Shark3
Dusky Shark2
Spinner Shark2
Nurse Shark1

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

Notable incidents in 1998

1997All years →1999

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks were there in 1998?
The Global Shark Attack File records 65 shark attacks worldwide in 1998, with 9 fatalities.
What was the shark attack fatality rate in 1998?
13.8% of shark attacks recorded in 1998 were fatal.
Which countries had the most shark attacks in 1998?
The countries with the most recorded incidents in 1998 were United States (26), South Africa (19), Australia (5).
Which shark species were most often involved in 1998 attacks?
Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 1998 were White Shark, Tiger Shark, Dusky Shark.