Shark Attacks in 1981

In 1981, the Global Shark Attack File logged 49 shark attacks worldwide — 80.9% above the historical annual average. 5 were fatal (10.2%). United States accounted for the most incidents that year, with 27.

Total recorded

Fatal

Fatality rate

10.2%

Global avg 21.1%

vs. annual avg

81% above

Hist. avg 27.1/yr

Countries with the most incidents in 1981

Country	Recorded incidents
United States	27
South Africa	8
Australia	4
Brazil	2
Reunion	1

Species most often involved in 1981

Species	Recorded incidents
Tiger shark	4
1.8 m to	2
6' shark	2
Shark involvement prior to death was not confirmed	2
Raggedtooth 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 1981

1980 All years →1982

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks were there in 1981?

The Global Shark Attack File records 49 shark attacks worldwide in 1981, with 5 fatalities.

What was the shark attack fatality rate in 1981?

10.2% of shark attacks recorded in 1981 were fatal.

Which countries had the most shark attacks in 1981?

The countries with the most recorded incidents in 1981 were United States (27), South Africa (8), Australia (4).

Which shark species were most often involved in 1981 attacks?

Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 1981 were Tiger shark, 1.8 m to, 6' shark.