{"id":18549,"date":"2023-09-22T12:58:49","date_gmt":"2023-09-22T16:58:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/?page_id=18549"},"modified":"2023-09-22T13:02:13","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T17:02:13","slug":"shark-sense","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/shark-sense\/","title":{"rendered":"Shark Sense"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-intro-copy\">Before there were dinosaurs, before there were humans, sharks were swimming in the Earth&#8217;s seas. After almost 400 million years in the ocean, sharks have developed a reputation as very dangerous fish.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside class=\"floated-spotlight-aside-container\">\n  <div class=\"floated-spotlight-contents\">\n    <a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card wp-block-ncst-spotlight-box has-custombg-two-background-color with-image with-cta\"\n    href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/previous-issues\/2014-2\/spring-2014\/sharks-of-north-carolina\/\"\n    data-ua-cat=\"Content Card\"\n    data-ua-action=\"Content Card Click\"\n    data-ua-label=https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/previous-issues\/2014-2\/spring-2014\/sharks-of-north-carolina\/\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1080\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-18553\"\n            alt=\"a sandbar shark swimming at the surface of the blue ocean\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/sandbar-shark-e1695401606786.png\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/sandbar-shark-e1695401606786.png 1600w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/sandbar-shark-e1695401606786-300x203.png 300w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/sandbar-shark-e1695401606786-1024x691.png 1024w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/sandbar-shark-e1695401606786-768x518.png 768w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/sandbar-shark-e1695401606786-1536x1037.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Sharks of North Carolina<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\">Learn more about the different species of sharks found in North Carolina&#8217;s waters.<\/p>\n\t      \t    \n              <p class=\"content-card__cta\"><span class=\"text\">Read more<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How dangerous are sharks?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although a shark attack is a potential danger for anyone frequenting marine waters, the risk should be kept in perspective, says George Burgess, director of the International Shark Attack File<br>(ISAF) in Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Bees, wasps and snakes are responsible for more fatalities each year,&#8221; says Burgess. &#8220;The reality is that, on the list of potential dangers encountered in aquatic recreation, sharks are right at the bottom of the list.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are shark attacks more frequent now?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The chance for encounters between humans and sharks has increased. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;While the number of shark attacks has consistently risen, so has the human population,&#8221; says Burgess. &#8220;More people are spending time in or near the ocean than ever before. Also, records for tracking shark attacks have become more efficient, contributing to the increased number of reports.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Avoiding Shark Attacks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Sufers-at-NewHanover-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18554\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Sufers-at-NewHanover-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Sufers-at-NewHanover-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Sufers-at-NewHanover-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Sufers-at-NewHanover-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Sufers-at-NewHanover-2048x1367.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Surfers catch late afternoon waves at Carolina Beach.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the relative risk of shark attacks for humans is very small, swimmers and surfers can help prevent attacks by following these ISAF safety tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Always stay in groups because sharks are more likely to attack a solitary person.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not swim or paddle too far from shore, away from the assistance of lifeguards or friends.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not enter the water if bleeding because a shark&#8217;s sense of smell is highly sensitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid wearing shiny jewelry because reflected light resembles the sheen of fish scales.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid being a visual attraction for sharks by using extra caution when waters are murky. Avoid the water if you have uneven tanning and bright\u00adcolored clothing because sharks see contrast particularly well.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Refrain from excessive splashing and don&#8217;t allow pets in the water because of their erratic movements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remember that sightings of porpoises do not indicate the absence of sharks &#8211; both eat the same food.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exercise caution when occupying the area between the sandbars or near steep drop-offs where sharks hang out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be around, and calmly evacuate the water if any sharks are seen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not harass a shark &#8211; even nurse sharks can bite.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid areas where people are fishing or using bait.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-blockquote\"><p>&#8220;Between the months of five through nine, go swimming in the ocean from nine to five.&#8221;<\/p><p>Robert Hueter, Mote Marine Laboratory<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learn more<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you fascinated by sharks and want to learn more about their underwater world? Check out these resources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fisheries.noaa.gov\/fish-sharks\">NOAA Fisheries<\/a>, including regulations, research and tagging programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu\/shark-attacks\/\">International Shark Attack File<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mote.org\/\">Mote Marine Laboratory<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/masweb.vims.edu\/bridge\/output_search.cfm\">BRIDGE<\/a>, an ocean sciences resource center for teachers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before there were dinosaurs, before there were humans, sharks were swimming in the Earth&#8217;s seas. After almost 400 million years in the ocean, sharks have developed a reputation as very&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/floating-box-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"pageIntro\":\"Atlantic and Gulf Regions\",\"backgroundColor\":\"custombg_one\",\"boxPosition\":\"left\",\"ctaNum\":\"one\",\"useCTA\":false,\"focalPoint\":{\"x\":0.55,\"y\":1},\"imageURL\":\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/bullsharks.jpg\",\"imageID\":18552,\"imageAlt\":\"three bullsharks swimming along a sandy bottom\"}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-18549","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Shark Sense - North Carolina Sea Grant<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/guten\/shark-sense\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Shark Sense - North Carolina Sea Grant\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Before there were dinosaurs, before there were humans, sharks were swimming in the Earth&#8217;s seas. 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