Shark Attacks in 2018

In 2018, the Global Shark Attack File logged 124 shark attacks worldwide — 357.8% above the historical annual average. 6 were fatal (4.8%). United States accounted for the most incidents that year, with 43.

Total recorded

124

Fatal

Fatality rate

4.8%

Global avg 21.1%

vs. annual avg

358% above

Hist. avg 27.1/yr

Countries with the most incidents in 2018

Country	Recorded incidents
United States	43
Australia	39
Bahamas	8
South Africa	5
Brazil	5

Species most often involved in 2018

Species	Recorded incidents
White shark	13
Tiger shark	10
Bull shark	6
Nurse shark	5
Wobbegong shark	3

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

Notable incidents in 2018

2017 All years →2019

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks were there in 2018?

The Global Shark Attack File records 124 shark attacks worldwide in 2018, with 6 fatalities.

What was the shark attack fatality rate in 2018?

4.8% of shark attacks recorded in 2018 were fatal.

Which countries had the most shark attacks in 2018?

The countries with the most recorded incidents in 2018 were United States (43), Australia (39), Bahamas (8).

Which shark species were most often involved in 2018 attacks?

Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 2018 were White shark, Tiger shark, Bull shark.