The Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is statistically responsible for the highest number of unprovoked fatal attacks on humans. According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) data updated in 2026, the Great White has been implicated in over 350 unprovoked attacks, with roughly 15-20% of those being fatal. While these numbers sound high, they are spread across several decades, highlighting that shark attacks remain extremely rare events. The Tiger Shark and Bull Shark follow closely as the second and third most dangerous species to humans. Biologists note that Great Whites often engage in "investigatory biting" rather than predatory hunting when it comes to humans, frequently releasing the victim after one bite once they realize the person is not their natural prey, such as a seal. Most fatal incidents occur due to blood loss or trauma rather than consumption. In 2026, conservationists emphasize that humans pose a far greater threat to sharks through overfishing and finning than sharks pose to humans, with millions of sharks killed annually compared to fewer than ten human fatalities worldwide.