Elliot Kim
North Carolina's Pamlico Sound, part of the Albemarle-Pamlico estuary, is known for its importance as a habitat for varied species. While the presence of sharks in the Pamlico Sound has mostly been reported anecdotally by fishermen, there is evidence of sharks in the sounds, estuaries, and ocean waters in and around North Carolina. The Pamlico Sound extends about 80 miles from Roanoke Island to Cedar Island, with an average depth of 5 to 6 feet. So, are there sharks in Roanoke Sound?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sharks in Roanoke Sound | Yes |
| Number of shark species | At least 12 |
| Most common species | Sandbar shark, Blacktip shark, Bull shark, Smoothhound shark, Bonnethead shark, Atlantic sharpnose shark |
| Danger to humans | Minimal |
| Shark attacks | None recorded |
| Shark behaviour | Transient, some use sounds as nursery habitats |
| Shark length | Up to 12 feet |
| Water depth | 15-30 miles wide, average depth of 5-6 feet |
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What You'll Learn
Shark species in Pamlico Sound
While sharks are generally thought to stay out in the ocean, many species are comfortable entering estuaries and some even depend on them. North Carolina's Pamlico Sound, part of the Albemarle-Pamlico estuary, is a lagoon that is wide, shallow, and connected to the ocean via small inlets between barrier islands. It is the second-largest estuary in the continental US, providing a lot of real estate for sharks.
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) conducts extensive sampling within the estuary to keep tabs on the biology and ecology of the species targeted by North Carolina fishermen. Between 2007 and 2014, there were 2048 sharks of 12 species captured in the Pamlico Sound surveys. The six principal species were the Atlantic Sharpnose Shark, Blacktip Shark, Bull Shark, Sandbar Shark, Smooth Dogfish, and Spiny Dogfish.
The distribution of potential shark habitat within Pamlico Sound tells us how each species is making use of the estuary. Four of the six species (Sharpnose, Blacktip, Sandbar, and Spiny Dogfish) showed a preference for higher salinities and closer proximities to the inlets. These are primarily ocean-going sharks not known for traveling far into brackish water, so they’re likely ducking into the inlets to feed or seek temporary shelter. The Bull Shark, on the other hand, has the ability to tolerate lower salinities and seems to prefer the western side of Pamlico Sound. This species also prefers warm water and occurs during the summer. The Smooth Dogfish, which was the most common shark caught in the NCDMF surveys, preferred higher salinities and summer conditions but its potential habitat almost perfectly overlapped the seagrass beds near the Outer Banks, suggesting that seagrass may be a critical part of nursery habitat for this species.
The presence of small bull sharks in Pamlico Sound has raised questions about whether it is a bull shark nursery. The increasing numbers of juvenile bull sharks may be due to rising temperatures in late spring and summer, which reach preferred levels for female bull sharks to give birth.
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Shark sightings by fishermen
While sharks are generally thought to stay out in the ocean, many species are not only comfortable entering estuaries but depend on them. The sounds, estuaries, and ocean waters in and around North Carolina provide a variety of habitats for sharks, and some species even use these sounds as nurseries for their young.
The Pamlico Sound, part of the Albemarle-Pamlico estuary, is a lagoon that straddles the transition zone between temperate and subtropical marine ecosystems. It is known for its importance as a habitat for varied species, including blue crab, penaeid shrimp, flounder, and red drum. The sharks of Pamlico Sound have mostly been known through scattered reports and sightings from fishermen.
One such species is the Blacktip shark, which can reach lengths of 8 feet but usually measures 6 feet or less. Recreational fishermen target these sharks for the strong fight they can put up when hooked. Blacktip sharks have black margins on every fin except the anal fin, and their dorsal fin starts just above or slightly before the trailing edge of the pectoral fins.
Another species sighted by fishermen is the Bull shark, which can reach lengths of over 10 feet. These sharks can tolerate brackish and freshwater, so they can be found in nearly any body of water connected to the ocean. Bull sharks are apex predators and attack large prey, as evidenced by bite scars on bottlenose dolphins in the Neuse River and reports of large red drum being eaten off fishermen's hooks. This species is dangerous to humans and should be treated with caution.
In addition to these species, there are likely others that enter Roanoke Sound, as it is connected to the ocean through inlets and is a suitable habitat for sharks.
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Shark behaviour and proximity to humans
While sharks are generally thought to stay out in the ocean, many species are not only comfortable entering inshore, estuarine environments like lagoons, bays, and the lower portions of rivers, but they actually depend on them. For example, North Carolina's Pamlico Sound, part of the Albemarle-Pamlico estuary, is a lagoon that offers a lot of potential real estate for sharks.
Sharks are known to respond to human pressure, and knowledge of their responses is crucial for ensuring their conservation. For instance, during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, a local shark-tracking program in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, recorded a 43% increase in the detection rate of lemon sharks, which was attributed to the decrease in human presence. In contrast, the detection rate of tiger sharks decreased by 67% during the lockdown, likely due to seasonal variations in their behaviour.
Sharks are often considered a nuisance or a threat to humans, especially in places like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, where public beaches may have lookout towers, bells, sirens, or nets to warn swimmers of potential danger. The most-feared species is the white shark, which has been associated with infrequent attacks along the California coast and elsewhere. Other sharks involved in attacks on humans include the tiger, bull, oceanic whitetip, blue, and hammerhead. However, it's important to note that not all encounters with sharks are attacks, and a more accurate method of reporting incidents may be needed.
Sharks typically attack humans when they are hungry, harassed, or defending their territory. Many interactions with humans may be due to mistaken identity, as the kicking or thrashing vibrations made by swimmers can resemble the movements of a wounded fish. The presence of speared fish or bait, or blood from wounds or menstruation, can also provoke sharks. Most injuries occur on the lower limbs and buttocks, and while less than 25% of shark attacks are fatal, the main causes of death are hemorrhage and shock.
In summary, while sharks may occasionally venture into human-populated areas like Roanoke Sound, they generally do not pose a significant threat to human safety. However, it is important to be cautious and leave them alone if spotted, as their behaviour can be unpredictable, and they play a crucial role in balancing marine ecosystems.
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Shark safety advice
While sharks rarely pose a threat to human safety, it is important to take precautions when in waters that may be inhabited by sharks. Here is some shark safety advice if you are planning activities in Roanoke Sound:
Avoid swimming in known shark habitats
It is best to avoid swimming in areas known to be inhabited by sharks. Roanoke Sound, which extends from Roanoke Island to Cedar Island, is a known habitat for sharks. The area has a variety of sharks, including Blacktip, Bonnethead, Bull, Sharpnose, and Smooth Hound sharks. These sharks are attracted to the sound due to its brackish and freshwater mix and its connection to the ocean through various inlets.
Be cautious during shark seasons
If you choose to swim in Roanoke Sound, be extra cautious during the summer and fall seasons when certain shark species are more commonly found in the area. For example, sandbar sharks, which are commonly found in North Carolina waters year-round, are most prevalent in late summer and autumn.
Avoid shark hotspots
Within Roanoke Sound, there are specific areas where sharks are more frequently spotted or known to congregate. These include the Newport, Neuse, and Pamlico rivers, as well as parts of the Albemarle Sound. The sound is a known nursery habitat for some shark species, so it is best to avoid these areas, especially during the summer months when juvenile sharks may be present.
Be vigilant and aware
When in the water, maintain a high level of vigilance and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Look out for any signs of shark activity, such as fins breaking the surface or baitfish jumping out of the water. If you spot a shark, remain calm and do not panic. Avoid splashing or making sudden movements that may attract the shark's attention.
Swim in groups and stay close to shore
It is always advisable to swim with others and stay close to the shore when in shark-inhabited waters. Swimming in groups provides safety in numbers, and staying within a close distance to the shore can offer easier access to help in the event of an encounter.
Remember, while shark attacks are rare, it is important to take these precautions to ensure your safety and minimize potential risks.
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Shark habitat and environmental factors
Sharks are keystone species in the ocean and play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health. They can be found in all reaches of the oceans, from deep seas to estuaries. While sharks are generally thought to stay out in the ocean, many species are not only comfortable entering estuaries but also depend on them. For example, the scalloped hammerhead shark relies on shallow, coastal areas such as bays and mangroves for essential breeding habitats.
Environmental factors such as water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, distance from the coast, and surface temperature are key to shaping the predicted distribution patterns of sharks. For instance, a Blacktip Shark is more likely to be found in areas with temperatures between 20 and 30 °C and salinity greater than 20 parts per thousand.
Climate change is impacting prey availability and habitat quality for migratory sharks. Warming ocean temperatures and more intense storms caused by climate change are influencing the health and distribution of marine species. As these climatic events intensify, predatory species like sharks shift their geographic distributions based on prey and habitat availability.
Sharks have large impacts on the behaviour of fish, either as predators or competitors. Their presence may influence populations of teleosts that are competitors on reefs. In some situations, the loss of sharks might lead to changes in the overall abundance of algae on reefs over time. For example, the presence of tiger sharks in Shark Bay, Australia, has been shown to enhance the resilience of seagrass communities to climate disturbance.
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Frequently asked questions
Roanoke Sound is part of Pamlico Sound, which is known to be inhabited by sharks.
There are scattered reports and sightings of sharks in Pamlico Sound, but no official records of specific species.
Yes, the Chesapeake Bay, which is located near Roanoke Sound, is known to be visited by at least 12 species of sharks, including sandbar sharks, bull sharks, and sand tiger sharks.
Yes, bull sharks are known to inhabit the coastal waters near the Outer Banks, which is located close to Roanoke Sound.
While there may be sharks in Roanoke Sound, they rarely pose a threat to human safety. There are no recorded shark attacks in nearby bodies of water, and swimming is generally considered safe.
