The International Shark Attack File (ISAF) is the world’s only scientifically documented, comprehensive database of all known shark attacks. Initiated in 1958, there are now more than 6,500 individual investigations covering the period from the early 1500s to the present.
Contact Gavin Naylor Ph.D. and/or Tyler Bowling for all inquiries
Stats, Trends and Analysis
Committed to Scientific Accuracy
The International Shark Attack File (est. 1958) is housed at the Florida Museum of Natural History and is the only scientifically-generated database that documents and monitors shark attacks on a global basis. While most attack investigations are performed by ISAF staff as parts on ongoing research, the File benefits from a globally-distributed network of collaborating regional scientists who investigate attacks in their own regions (and in some cases maintain regionally-oriented databases) and cooperatively forward reports to the ISAF.
The ISAF staff regularly provides advice on shark attack issues to governmental agencies, coastal managers, beach safety professionals, the medical community and the media. Hundreds of information requests from the public and media are received and answered annually. Although detailed information on individual shark attack incidents is curated by the ISAF, these records are only made available to qualified research biologists and physicians for reasons of medical confidentiality and to protect the privacy of those affected by such incidents. Requests for access are made on a case-by-case basis.
Latest Research News
Shark attack numbers remained ‘extremely low’ in 2020, but fatalities spiked
Shark attacks decreased for the third consecutive year, falling to 57 unprovoked bites worldwide in 2020, compared with 64 bites…
Shark attacks drop during coronavirus lockdown
Shark attack numbers have sunk to dramatic lows, likely a side effect of closed beaches and widespread quarantines, according to…
Shark attacks remained low in 2019 – but bites from the elusive cookiecutter were up
Shark attacks were unusually low for the second year running, with 64 unprovoked bites in 2019, according to the University…
Read more ISAF Science + Research News…
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