Lyla Lindsey
Shark attacks are a constant threat to beachgoers in Western Australia, with a total of 35 attacks recorded between 1990 and 2018, and 21 fatalities since 2000. In 2023, there were four fatal shark bites in the country, with one occurring in Western Australia. The most recent fatal shark attack in Western Australia was in March 2025, when a 37-year-old surfer was mauled by a shark in chest-deep water at Wharton's Beach. The Australian Shark-Incident Database has recorded 237 fatal shark attacks in Australia between 1791 and April 2018, with four species of sharks responsible for the majority of these attacks: bull sharks, tiger sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, and great white sharks.
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What You'll Learn
- There were 237 fatal shark attacks in Australia between 1791 and 2018
- In 2020 and 2021, there were 11 fatal shark attacks in Australia
- WA has had 20 great white shark attack fatalities since 1995
- Since 2000, 21 people have been killed in WA shark attacks
- In 2023, there were 4 fatal shark bites in Australia
There were 237 fatal shark attacks in Australia between 1791 and 2018
Shark attacks are a constant fear for many beachgoers in Australia. The Australian Shark-Incident Database, considered the principal source of shark-bite data in the country, has recorded 237 fatal shark attacks between 1791 and April 2018. The database, maintained by the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Flinders University, and the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, provides comprehensive information on shark-human interactions, including geographical location, weather conditions, victim recovery status, shark species, and time of incident.
While shark attacks capture public attention, it is important to remember that they are relatively rare. The database includes over 1,000 individual investigations since 1791, with only 237 resulting in fatalities. This highlights the low probability of fatal shark encounters.
Western Australia has gained a reputation as a hotspot for shark attacks, with 35 recorded attacks since 1990. The seasonal distribution of attacks in WA is notable, with a higher frequency occurring during the winter and spring months. This timing coincides with the humpback whale migration, attracting great white sharks closer to the coastline. The increase in shark presence during these seasons suggests a correlation with the whale migration pattern, particularly when newborn calves are present.
Despite the fear surrounding shark attacks, it is important to recognize that other causes result in significantly more fatalities. For example, in 2023, while there were four fatal shark bites in Australia, there were also 125 coastal drowning deaths and 1,266 road fatalities during the same period. Contextualizing these numbers helps put the risk of shark attacks into perspective.
To further mitigate the risk of shark attacks, authorities have implemented various measures. Shark netting, introduced in the 1930s in New South Wales and in the 1960s in Queensland, has proven effective in reducing shark-related deaths on beaches. However, these measures have faced criticism for their negative impact on the ecosystem, including the entanglement of unintended species. As a result, Australian authorities have started referring to "shark attacks" as "negative encounters" or "interactions" to change public perception and garner support for conservation efforts.
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In 2020 and 2021, there were 11 fatal shark attacks in Australia
The Australian Shark-Incident Database is the principal source of shark-bite data in the country. It was founded by John West in the 1980s and is now maintained by the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Flinders University, and the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. The database includes over 1,100 individual investigations of shark-bite cases in Australia since 1791, making it the most comprehensive resource of its kind.
Most fatal shark bites in Australia are caused by three species: White Sharks, Bull Sharks, and Tiger Sharks. White sharks are responsible for the majority of attacks, as they hunt by striking prey at the surface from the depths. Bull sharks, on the other hand, prefer murky waters, while tiger sharks seek out warmer waters.
To reduce the risk of shark bites, organizations like ISAF offer resources and guidelines for beachgoers and swimmers. Despite the dangers, many Australians and tourists continue to enjoy the beaches, with approximately 600 million visits to the coast each year.
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WA has had 20 great white shark attack fatalities since 1995
Since 1995, there have been 20 fatal great white shark attacks in Western Australia (WA). WA has gained an international reputation as the deadliest place in the world for fatal shark attacks.
The Australian Shark-Incident Database has recorded 237 fatal shark attacks in Australia between 1791 and April 2018. In 2020 and 2021, there were 11 fatal shark attacks in the country.
In WA, the majority of great white shark attack fatalities have occurred during the humpback whale migration season, from July to January. This is despite far fewer people swimming during winter and spring, although surfers are more common in these months.
Great white sharks are attracted to areas with plentiful food, such as whale calves and adult carcasses. Their presence in WA waters during the whale migration season increases the risk of encounters with humans, who are often swimming or surfing in the same areas.
In recent years, there has been a consistent increase in shark attacks in WA. Since 2000, 21 people have been killed in shark attacks off the WA coast. While the number of fatalities in 2024 was lower than in 2023, this fluctuation is within the normal recorded range.
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Since 2000, 21 people have been killed in WA shark attacks
The Australian Shark-Incident Database has recorded 237 fatal shark attacks in Australia between 1791 and April 2018. In 2020 and 2021, there were 11 fatal shark attacks in the country. While the number of fatalities in 2024 was lower than in 2023, the variation is still within the normal recorded range of global fatalities.
In Western Australia, most fatal shark attacks have occurred during the whale migration season, from July to January. This is also the season when surfers, who represent a high proportion of attacks and fatalities, are most common. The majority of those killed in WA shark attacks were surfers or divers. For example, in March 2025, surfer Steven Payne was fatally mauled by a shark in chest-deep water at Wharton's Beach. In February 2023, 16-year-old schoolgirl Stella Berry was killed by a suspected bull shark while swimming with a pod of dolphins in the Swan River. In April 2017, 17-year-old Laeticia Brouwer died while surfing near Esperance with her father.
To reduce the risk of shark attacks, the New South Wales Government allocated AU$16 million, and Queensland has implemented anti-shark measures along its coastline since 1962. Shark netting has proven to be effective in reducing shark attacks in these states. However, it has also faced criticism for its negative impact on the ecosystem, as it may attract sharks to untypical areas and entangle other species.
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In 2023, there were 4 fatal shark bites in Australia
In 2023, there were four fatal shark bites in Australia. This is a higher number of fatalities than usual, although the number of incidents was consistent with long-term trends. The Australian Shark Incident Database, considered the principal source of shark-bite data in the country, recorded an average of 2.8 fatalities each year over the previous decade.
Of the four fatalities in 2023, three occurred in South Australia and one in Western Australia. Australia recorded 22% of all unprovoked shark attacks that year. Surfers and swimmers experienced most unprovoked shark bites (42% and 39%, respectively), followed by snorkelers and divers (13%).
The most common species involved in unprovoked attacks in Australia is the white shark, also known as the great white. Other species involved in attacks include bull sharks, tiger sharks, wobbegongs, and other whaler sharks.
To reduce the risk of shark bites and injuries, experts recommend a three-tiered approach: perimeter, proximity, and preventing bleeding. Establishing an outer ring of measures, such as swimming enclosures or early warning systems, can maximise the distance between sharks and people. Electric deterrents can reduce the risk of bites by about 60% when sharks are in close proximity. Finally, bite-resistant materials or wetsuits can minimise blood loss in the event of an attack, improving survival rates.
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Frequently asked questions
There have been 20 fatal great white shark attacks in Western Australia since 1995. There was also a fatality caused by a tiger shark in January 1997.
Since 2000, 21 people have been killed in shark attacks off the coast of Western Australia.
Between 1791 and April 2018, there were 237 fatal shark attacks in Australia.
