As of April 2021, the great white shark - the species portrayed in the film “Jaws” - is responsible for the highest number of unprovoked attacks with 333 total events including 52 fatalities.

The Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is responsible for the highest number of recorded unprovoked shark attacks on humans globally. According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), the Great White has been involved in over 350 unprovoked attacks, including more than 50 fatalities. Following the Great White, the Tiger Shark and the Bull Shark are the next most frequent offenders. Experts clarify that most Great White "attacks" are actually "test bites" or cases of mistaken identity, where the shark confuses a human or surfboard for its natural prey, such as a seal. Because Great Whites are apex predators with immense power, even a single "curiosity bite" can be fatal or cause severe injury. Despite these statistics, the mathematical probability of being attacked by any shark remains extraordinarily low compared to other ocean-related risks.