Shark Attacks in 1997

In 1997, the Global Shark Attack File logged 57 shark attacks worldwide — 110.4% above the historical annual average. 8 were fatal (14.0%). United States accounted for the most incidents that year, with 28.

Total recorded

Fatal

Fatality rate

14.0%

Global avg 21.1%

vs. annual avg

110% above

Hist. avg 27.1/yr

Countries with the most incidents in 1997

Country	Recorded incidents
United States	28
Australia	10
Brazil	5
South Africa	4
Mexico	2

Species most often involved in 1997

Species	Recorded incidents
Tiger shark	5
White shark	4
Possibly a sand shark	2
Shark involvement not confirmed	1
Shark involvement prior to death suspected but not confirmed	1

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

Notable incidents in 1997

1996 All years →1998

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks were there in 1997?

The Global Shark Attack File records 57 shark attacks worldwide in 1997, with 8 fatalities.

What was the shark attack fatality rate in 1997?

14.0% of shark attacks recorded in 1997 were fatal.

Which countries had the most shark attacks in 1997?

The countries with the most recorded incidents in 1997 were United States (28), Australia (10), Brazil (5).

Which shark species were most often involved in 1997 attacks?

Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 1997 were Tiger shark, White shark, Possibly a sand shark.