SHARK ATTACK FATALITY FIGURES RELEASED FOR 2021

Global results from the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) report show that there were a total of 11 shark-related fatalities recorded last year.

Nine of those were considered unprovoked. Unprovoked meaning that people were in the water when attacked but were swimming, surfing or diving, but hadn't been diving and tried to touch a shark or remove a shark from a fishing net. That would be the definition of provocation.

Australia had the most unprovoked shark attacks deaths, with three. This was followed by New Caledonia with two.

A single unprovoked shark attack fatality also occurred in the United States, Brazil, New Zealand and South Africa.

The total of unprovoked shark deaths is down by one from last year, which was ten. Australia was top in fatalities again, although last year was double with six. A further three happened in the US and one in the waters of St. Martin in the Caribbean.

But, despite what you may read or see in the news, shark attack figures and fatalities have remained low.


In their report for 2021, the ISAF wrote: Short-term trends still show both fatal and non-fatal bites to be decreasing. The total number of unprovoked shark bites worldwide is extremely low, given the number of people participating in aquatic recreation each year. This year’s increase in fatalities does not necessarily constitute a shift in the long-term trends. Fatality rates have been declining for decades, reflecting advances in beach safety, medical treatment and public awareness.

While the incidence of fatal bites in 2021 was higher than is typical, we do not consider this cause for alarm. At this time, there is no evidence that the recent spike in fatalities is linked to any natural phenomena. Rather it is likely the consequence of chance, a conclusion underscored by the fact that the number of unprovoked bites is in line with recent five-year trends.

Words by Dean Newman

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