Recorded Shark Attacks in the Carolinas
There have been 35 verified shark attacks recorded in North Carolina since 1870. Most of these attacks were from Bull sharks. A few were from black tip sharks. Most of these attacks occurred at Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach and Emerald Isle. South Carolina has had 43 verified shark attacks recorded over a 80 year span to 2002. Most of the attacks occurred at Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head and Folly Beach. The months with the most frequent occurrence of attacks were July and August. *
North Carolina Shark Attack Record *
| date | where | died |
|---|---|---|
| July 1870 | Southport | no |
| 1900 | Ocracoke Inlet | yes |
| 1905 | Ocracoke | yes |
| July 1905 | Beaufort | yes |
| Sept 1935 | New River | yes |
| July 1940 | Holden Beach | no |
| Aug 1945 | Ocracoke | yes |
| July 1957 | Atlantic Beach | yes |
| Sept 1971 | Emerald Isle | no |
| Aug 1976 | Emerald Isle | no |
| Aug 1980 | Ocean Isle | no |
| Aug 1986 | Masonboro Inlet | no |
| Aug 1993 | Pamlico Sound | no |
| July 2000 | Duck Hatteras | no |
| July 2000 | West Holden Beach | no |
| July 2000 | Wrightsville Beach | no |
| Aug 2000 | Emerald Isle | no |
| Oct 2000 | Wrightsville Beach | no |
| Sept 2001 | Avon | yes |
| Sept 2001 | Avon | no |
| July 2002 | Wrightsville Beach | no |
| July 2002 | Emerald Isle | no |
| Aug 2002 | Topsail Beach | no |
Update:
July 2011, a 6 year old girl was attrack at Ocracoke Island. She was bitten in the leg and foot.
There were 5 shark attacks off the coast of NC in 2010. One at Wrightsville Beach occured in July, where a 13 year old girl was bitten in the arm.
In Mrytle Beach, July 2010, a 10 year old boy was attacked and bitten in the leg.
Sept. 2009, fatal shark attack off the coast of NC near Kill Devil Hills.
The last fatal shark attack off Hilton Head SC was in 1883. Shark attacks average about 3 times a year in South Carolina.
In the summer of 2005, 3 shark attacks occurred at Myrtle Beach (2) and North Myrtle Beach (1). One of the attacks was from a Black Tip Shark. The first two shark attacks occurred in August within a week apart.
shark attack off the coast of Hilton head island in Beaufort County on Thursday, June 8, 2006 in 2 ft of water. victim was a 7 year girl from Missouri who suffered puncture wounds to her foot and buttocks. The injuries were not threatening.
Avoiding a Shark Attack
The chances of getting attacked by a shark are less than getting struck by lightening but it does happen. Take precautions. Most shark attacks occur in waist deep water. Most shark attack victims never see the shark either.
- Do not swim at night or in the early morning or evening. Sharks feed at these times.
- Do not swim alone or away from the crowd
- Do not swim in dark areas of the ocean or in murky waters (cant see the bottom clearly).
- Do not swim near a pier where people are fishing or where people are surf fishing. Lots of fisherman use cut bait to fish.
- Do not swim if you have a cut or are on your menstrual period. Sharks can smell even a tiny amount of blood in water.
- Do not swim with a pet especially a dog. Dogs attract sharks. Their bark sounds like a seal which are a shark's natural prey.
- Do not swim with shiny objects like jewelry or sequins on a swimsuit. It looks like fish scales to a shark and attracts their attention.
Reference: link opens in new window
Schwartz, Frank J. Sharks, Skates, and Rays of the Carolinas, University of North Carolina Press (June 9, 2003)
Sharks found off the coast of Carolina
Suggested Resources
Great White Shark - a well written website on the Great White Shark, accounts of shark attacks, pictures and more information on the infamous Jaws.
Underwater times - records most every shark attack in the news, pictures, keeps current information as well as archives. Good resource.