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 6,800 individual investigations covering the period from the early 1500s to the present.
Contact Gavin Naylor Ph.D. 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 bites tied for 10-year low in 2022 but spiked in regional hotspots
The number of unprovoked shark attacks worldwide decreased last year, tying with 2020 for the fewest number of reported incidents…
After three years of declines, shark bites are again on the rise
After three consecutive years of worldwide declines, the number of shark bites picked up in 2021, with a total of…
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…
Read more ISAF Science + Research News…
Follow Us On Social Media
