Shark Attack Florida: History and List of Victims up to 2010

Following the fatal Great White shark attack of kite boarder Stephen Howard Schafer in Stuart, Florida yesterday on February 3, 2010 the internet is ablaze with searches for information on shark attacks in the area. Since 1911 there have been approximately 615 unprovoked shark attacks in Florida with upwards of 19 confirmed and unconfirmed fatalities.

1. J.L. Hanscom October 11, 1916
   
2. Dorothy MacLatchie, 18, June 17, 1922
   
3. Thomas N. Martin, 24, April 10, 1933
   
4. Richard Clark Best Jr, 8, June 20, 1934
   
5. Ralph Reginald Rives Jr, 20 August 4, 1947
   
6. Angel Escartin, 35, July 10, 1958
   
7. Lt. James Neal, 26, August 15, 1959
   
8. William J. Dandridge, 23, June 24, 1961
   
9. Jacob Horn, 45, October 1961
   
10. Billy Horne, 10, July 2, 1974
    
11. Christy Wapniarski, 19, August 10, 1981
    
12. Mark Meeker, 26, September 15, 1981
    
13. John P. Martin, 38, September 13, 1988
    
14. William Covert, 25, September 13, 1995
    
15. James Willie Tellasmon, 9, November 21, 1998
    
16. Thadeus Kubinski, 69, August 30, 2000
    
17. Eric Reichardt, 42, September 16, 2001
    
18. Jamie Marie Daigle, 14, June 25, 2005
    
19. Stephen Howard Schafer, 38, February 3, 2010

The majority shark attacks in the Sunshine State come from Bull, Spinner, Blacktip, and Hammerhead sharks in the months of July, August, and September.

Volusia, Brevard, and Palm Beach counties take the lead for most shark attacks in Florida with 231, 96, and 58 attacks respectively.

According to statistics, surfing ranks in as the most dangerous activity leading to shark attacks, with over 123 reports since 2000.