FLMNH Ichthyology Department: Water Depth and Attack Depth

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International Shark Attack File

Statistics of Shark Attacks on Divers

Last updated: March 18, 2013

As you can see, the largest percentage of fatal attacks take place in deeper water. Keep in mind, though, that the number of people who were attacked in deeper water is much less, mostly because people frequent the water in shallower water. This suggests that once you are in deep water, if you are attacked, you are more likely to be killed than if you were attacked in shallower water.

Last updated: March 18, 2013

Last updated: March 18, 2013

The graph above shows where attacks took place in relation to the shore. Most of the attacks took place over a mile away from the shore or in the open ocean as many divers will dive off ships miles away from the shore.

Last updated: March 18, 2013

These data are reflective of both shark habits and human diving habits. The majority of people who were attacked in offshore waters were near a reef. Not only do sharks live near reefs, but these are also the best places to dive for recreational purposes.

Last updated: March 22, 2013