The database
The Australian Shark-Incident Database (ASID), formerly known as the Australian Shark Attack File (ASAF), quantifies temporal and spatial patterns of shark-human interactions in Australia.
The Australian Shark-Incident Database is a joint partnership with Taronga Conservation Society Australia, along with Flinders University, and the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries
Maintained as an uninterrupted record by a few committed Taronga team members since 1984, the File currently comprises > 1000 individual investigations from 1791 to today, making it the most comprehensive database of its kind available.
The database has been maintained by Taronga Conservation Society Australia, since 1984 and includes more than 1,100 individual investigations of shark-bite cases in Australia since 1791. All shark-bite cases reported to the database are subject to thorough assessment to collate all possible information about the event. The original dataset is a comprehensive repository with 100 descriptor fields including information such as geographical location of the incident, weather conditions, victim recovery status, shark species, and time of incident. This information is gained by a purpose-designed questionnaire completed by victims, witnesses, official reports, and investigations by qualified biologists.
The database is updated as new information becomes available. Gathering this information enables a comprehensive evaluation of the context and potential causes of shark-bites, and may assist in reducing these incidents and promoting sustainable shark-human coexistence.
A paper describing the data was recently published in Nature’s Scientific Data.
Analysing the data
All shark incidents that are reported undergo a comprehensive review of the circumstances and available details.
Find out more about the criteria for inclusion and the process behind classifying data.
Publishing this information
Any use of this information in any publication must contain appropriate accreditation to the Australian Shark Incident Database, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, and cannot be used for commercial purposes without express permission of Rodd Stapley and Taronga.
This database is dynamic and regularly updated (e.g. numbers of recorded incidents and their outcomes are subject to change reflecting the new information available and new cases as they occur).
Extra resources
From tips for swimming safely to understanding a shark's behaviour, find out everything you need to know from our resource hub.