Shark attacks in South Australia

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Many of South Australia's fatal shark attacks have been attributed to the great white shark White shark.jpg
Many of South Australia's fatal shark attacks have been attributed to the great white shark

A total of 24 people have been killed by sharks in South Australian waters since the establishment of the colony in 1836. Prior to 2014, there had been 82 recorded shark attacks in South Australia. 20 of those have involved a single fatality. Victims were involved in a range of aquatic activities, including surfing, diving, spear-fishing, snorkeling, boating and swimming. Six of the fatalities occurred off the coast of greater metropolitan Adelaide, with the remainder distributed across South Australia's extensive coastline. Many of the fatal attacks have been attributed to great white sharks. [1]

Contents

2020-present

There were no fatal shark attacks anywhere in South Australia during the years 2015 through 2022 (in a presumed attack in January 2021, it was later concluded that the man had died of natural causes before being scavenged by a shark [2] ). Three surfers were killed by sharks in separate incidents in 2023, and one in 2025. The four surfers all died in remote locations while surfing or swimming at a surf break.

2001–2020

Graph of fatal shark attacks in South Australia by decade (1850-2014) Shark attack fatalities in South Australia by decade (1850-2014).PNG
Graph of fatal shark attacks in South Australia by decade (1850–2014)

Five fatal shark attacks occurred in South Australian waters between the year 2001 and 2020. All fatal attacks have been attributed to great white sharks. [1]

1951–2000

Two fatal shark attacks have occurred near Coffin Bay (1975 and 2011). Coffin Bay National Park Almonta Beach 2.jpg
Two fatal shark attacks have occurred near Coffin Bay (1975 and 2011).

13 fatal shark attacks occurred in South Australian waters between these years. Most attack species remain unknown, although all attacks between 1992-2000 were attributed to great white sharks. [1]

1901–1950

Three fatal shark attacks were recorded during this period, and there were no recorded attacks for over 25 years (1937-1962).

1836–1900

Between the years 1836 and 1900 (i.e. within the Colony of South Australia), only two fatal shark attacks were recorded.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 SharkAttackFile.infoAccessed 2014-02-08. Archived 8 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Shark encounter: Investigation into how Kiwi man died in Australia brings family comfort". The New Zealand Herald . 29 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  3. "How to search GSAF data". sharkattackfile.net. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  4. Family of Streaky Bay shark attack victim release heartfelt statement following horror incident, news.com.au, November 2, 2023
  5. "Shark attack victim killed off Yorke Peninsula remembered as 'talented and dearly loved' young surfer". abc.net.au. 29 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  6. Search ends for surfer Lance Appleby attacked by shark on SA west coast, ABC News, 5 January 2025
  7. "SA Shark Attack: Adelaide spear fisherman killed off South Peninsula" ABC News , South Australia (2014-02-08). Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  8. Scheikowski, Margaret "SA shark victim named as Sam Kellett" The Australian (2014-02-10). Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  9. "2014 Yorke Peninsula Classic Spearfishing Competition" Freedive Extreme, Australia (2014). Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  10. Harris, Lia "Adelaide man Sam Kellett taken by shark at Goldsmith Beach wouldn't want animal hunted and killed" The Advertiser , South Australia (2014-02-10). Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  11. 1 2 "Abalone diver taken by great white sharks wrote of earlier encounter with predator" The Australian (2011-02-18). Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  12. Dowdell, Andrew "I saw huge shark kill my mate, diver tells Coroner's Court" The Advertiser , South Australia (2008-02-24). Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  13. 1 2 Debelle, Penelope "Victim would not want shark killed: parents" Sydney Morning Herald , New South Wales, Australia (2005-08-25). Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  14. Debelle, Penelope "Tourist saw shark before fatal attack" The Age, Melbourne (2004-12-18). Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  15. "WRIGHT, Jevan" Coroner's Findings, Government of South Australia (2001-02-22). Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  16. "Doug Chesher" (PDF). Global Shark Attack File. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  17. "Corpse seen in shark's jaws" Examiner, Launceston, Tasmania (1937-02-08). Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  18. "Boy seized by shark at West Beach" The Advertiser , South Australia (1936-01-23). Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  19. "Bathing Tragedy. Woman mauled by shark. Terrible injuries received." The Recorder, Port Pirie, South Australia (1926-03-19). Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  20. "Memorial to Mrs. Primrose Whyte" The Advertiser , South Australia (1927-03-17). Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  21. "South Australia." Australian Town & Country Journal, New South Wales, Australia (1885-03-14). Retrieved 2014-02-09.
  22. Saunders, A. T. "Shark yarns." The Register, South Australia (1924-03-24). Retrieved 2014-02-09.
  23. Treloar, Frank "Shark tragedy of 1855." The Register, South Australia (1926-04-20). Retrieved 2014-02-09.