Shark Attacks in 2015

In 2015, the Global Shark Attack File logged 143 shark attacks worldwide — 428.0% above the historical annual average. 9 were fatal (6.3%). United States accounted for the most incidents that year, with 73.

Total recorded

143

Fatal

Fatality rate

6.3%

Global avg 21.1%

vs. annual avg

428% above

Hist. avg 27.1/yr

Countries with the most incidents in 2015

Country	Recorded incidents
United States	73
Australia	31
South Africa	10
Reunion	4
French Polynesia	4

Species most often involved in 2015

Species	Recorded incidents
White shark	25
Bull shark	12
Tiger shark	7
Shark involvement not confirmed	5
4' shark	5

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

Notable incidents in 2015

2014 All years →2016

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks were there in 2015?

The Global Shark Attack File records 143 shark attacks worldwide in 2015, with 9 fatalities.

What was the shark attack fatality rate in 2015?

6.3% of shark attacks recorded in 2015 were fatal.

Which countries had the most shark attacks in 2015?

The countries with the most recorded incidents in 2015 were United States (73), Australia (31), South Africa (10).

Which shark species were most often involved in 2015 attacks?

Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 2015 were White shark, Bull shark, Tiger shark.