Shark Attacks in 2010

In 2010, the Global Shark Attack File logged 101 shark attacks worldwide — 272.9% above the historical annual average. 8 were fatal (7.9%). United States accounted for the most incidents that year, with 40.

Total recorded

101

Fatal

Fatality rate

7.9%

Global avg 21.1%

vs. annual avg

273% above

Hist. avg 27.1/yr

Countries with the most incidents in 2010

Country	Recorded incidents
United States	40
Australia	18
South Africa	7
Egypt	7
Vietnam	6

Species most often involved in 2010

Species	Recorded incidents
White shark	10
4' shark	4
Oceanic whitetip shark	4
Lemon shark	3
3 m 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 2010

2009 All years →2011

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks were there in 2010?

The Global Shark Attack File records 101 shark attacks worldwide in 2010, with 8 fatalities.

What was the shark attack fatality rate in 2010?

7.9% of shark attacks recorded in 2010 were fatal.

Which countries had the most shark attacks in 2010?

The countries with the most recorded incidents in 2010 were United States (40), Australia (18), South Africa (7).

Which shark species were most often involved in 2010 attacks?

Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 2010 were White shark, 4' shark, Oceanic whitetip shark.