FLMNH Ichthyology Department: Unprovoked Shark Attack Statistics

This graph of unprovoked shark attacks in the World from 1960 through 2012 shows the portion occurring in the USA. The drop in recorded attacks in 1969 (dashed-dotted line) is a result of a loss of funding to support the ISAF, and hence less effort reporting and organizing of attacks (see The History of the International Shark Attack File). The apparent increase in attacks after 1987 (dotted line) is in part an artifact of the ISAF moving to the Florida Museum of Natural History, resulting in an increased scope of coverage and reporting of attacks. The apparent increase in attacks after 1993 (dashed line) is in part an artifact of a breakthrough in communication with Volusia County (FL) emergency responders and lifeguards, resulting in the reporting of a greater number of minor attacks that had previously gone unreported.
Data current as of: February 27, 2013

This graph of unprovoked shark attacks for the United States from 1960 through 2012 shows the portion occurring in Florida. The drop in recorded attacks in 1969 (dashed-dotted line) is a result of a loss of funding to support the ISAF, and hence less effort reporting and organizing of attacks (see The History of the International Shark Attack File). The apparent increase in attacks after 1987 (dotted line) is in part an artifact of the ISAF moving to the Florida Museum of Natural History, resulting in an increased scope of coverage and reporting of attacks. The apparent increase in attacks after 1993 (dashed line) is in part an artifact of a breakthrough in communication with Volusia County (FL) emergency responders and lifeguards, resulting in the reporting of a greater number of minor attacks that had previously gone unreported.
Data current as of: February 27, 2013

This graph of unprovoked shark attacks for Florida from 1960 through 2012 shows the portion occurring in Volusia County. The drop in recorded attacks in 1969 (dashed-dotted line) is a result of a loss of funding to support the ISAF, and hence less effort reporting and organizing of attacks (see The History of the International Shark Attack File). The apparent increase in attacks after 1987 (dotted line) is in part an artifact of the ISAF moving to the Florida Museum of Natural History, resulting in an increased scope of coverage and reporting of attacks. The apparent increase in attacks after 1993 (dashed line) is in part an artifact of a breakthrough in communication with Volusia County (FL) emergency responders and lifeguards, resulting in the reporting of a greater number of minor attacks that had previously gone unreported. Volusia County, Florida has a high number of shark-human interactions as a result of extremely high aquatic recreational utilization of its waters by residents and tourists, especially surfers. Most of these interactions result in minor bites or abrasions from small sharks.
Data current as of: February 27, 2013

Unprovoked shark attacks for Volusia County, Florida from 1960 through 2012. The drop in recorded attacks in 1969 (dashed-dotted line) is a result of a loss of funding to support the ISAF, and hence less effort reporting and organizing of attacks (see The History of the International Shark Attack File). The apparent increase in attacks after 1987 (dotted line) is in part an artifact of the ISAF moving to the Florida Museum of Natural History, resulting in an increased scope of coverage and reporting of attacks. The apparent increase in attacks after 1993 (dashed line) is in part an artifact of a breakthrough in communication with Volusia County (FL) emergency responders and lifeguards, resulting in the reporting of a greater number of minor attacks that had previously gone unreported. Volusia County, Florida has a high number of shark-human interactions as a result of extremely high aquatic recreational utilization of its waters by residents and tourists, especially surfers. Most of these interactions result in minor bites or abrasions from small sharks.
Data current as of: February 27, 2013