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List of all shark attacks in Virginia

Fatal Attacks

5

Unprovoked Attacks

12

Total Attacks

19

There have been a total of 19 shark attacks in Virginia. Out of those, 5 have unfortunately been fatal which brings the percentage of fatal attacks to 26.32%. 12 attacks came out of the blue while 7 have been provoked by humans.

Provoked

Unprovoked

Fatal

Non Fatal

LocationDateTimeSpeciesActivityInjuryFatalPerson
Sandridge Beach 23-09-2010 16h30SurfingBite to left ankle and kneeNO 18yo Caleb Kauchak
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia Beach 23-05-2007 MorningA 10-year-old 94-pound pregnant blacktip reef sharkReviving a sedated sharkLeft shin bitten by captive shark PROVOKED INCIDENTNO 40yo Beth Firchau
Sandbridge Beach, Princess Anne County 31-08-2001 18h00bull sharkSwimmingFATAL, thigh bittenYES 10yo David Peltier
Sandridge Beach, Virginia Beach, Princess Anne County 31-12-1998 Shark involvement not confirmedBody surfingAbrasionsNO male
Virginia Beach 22-08-1998 Dusky shark, 12'SpearfishingLacerations to left handNO male
Wreck of the Navy Barge, 22 miles SE of Rudee 31-12-1997 sandtiger sharkSpearfishing on scuba & transferring fish onto a stringerShark grasped diver's gloved hand. Glove was soaked with fish blood & slimeNO male
Croatan Beach, Virginia Beach, 30-06-1991 Shark involvement not confirmedBoogie boardingSevere laceration to footNO 13yo Michael Hootman
Coral Gardens Reef, 6 miles SSE of Chicoteague Inlet 31-12-1988 Spearfishing using scuba & trailing a string of bleeding fishNo injury, shark grabbed his fish and chased him to the boatNO male
Virginia Beach, Princess Anne County 14-08-1983 MorningSand sharkSwimmingFoot bittenNO 14yo Jill Redenbaugh
False Cape 15-08-1973 1.5 m to 1.8 m [5' to 6'] blacktip sharkCrabbing (spearing crabs)Elbow bittenNO 17yo Chris DeFord
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