Shark Research Panel

American organization

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July 13, 2026

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The Shark Research Panel was an American organization established in 1958 by the American Institute of Biological Sciences. It was based at the Smithsonian Institution and Cornell University. The panel's purpose was to collect global data on shark attacks on humans and boats. Between 1928 and 1962, the panel recorded 670 attacks on people and 102 on boats. More recent data from the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) shows over 1,600 unprovoked attacks between 1960 and 2007. While many shark species exist, only about 15 are considered dangerous to humans.1

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…of Biological Sciences established a Shark Research Panel at the Smithsonian Institution and Cornell University to gather historical and current records of shark attacks throughout the world. For the 35 years from 1928 to 1962, inclusive, the panel listed 670 attacks on persons and 102 on boats. More recently, the…
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…of Biological Sciences established a Shark Research Panel at the Smithsonian Institution and Cornell University to gather historical and current records of shark attacks throughout the world. For the 35 years from 1928 to 1962, inclusive, the panel listed 670 attacks on persons and 102 on boats. More recently, the…
Read More