Shark Attacks in 2016

In 2016, the Global Shark Attack File logged 133 shark attacks worldwide — 391.0% above the historical annual average. 6 were fatal (4.5%). United States accounted for the most incidents that year, with 65.

Total recorded

133

Fatal

Fatality rate

4.5%

Global avg 21.1%

vs. annual avg

391% above

Hist. avg 27.1/yr

Countries with the most incidents in 2016

Country	Recorded incidents
United States	65
Australia	32
New Caledonia	5
South Africa	4
Bahamas	4

Species most often involved in 2016

Species	Recorded incidents
White shark	12
Tiger shark	6
Bull shark	6
3' to	5
Shark involvement not confirmed	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 2016

2015 All years →2017

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks were there in 2016?

The Global Shark Attack File records 133 shark attacks worldwide in 2016, with 6 fatalities.

What was the shark attack fatality rate in 2016?

4.5% of shark attacks recorded in 2016 were fatal.

Which countries had the most shark attacks in 2016?

The countries with the most recorded incidents in 2016 were United States (65), Australia (32), New Caledonia (5).

Which shark species were most often involved in 2016 attacks?

Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 2016 were White shark, Tiger shark, Bull shark.