Question: Can sharks found off North Carolina’s coast also be found in its inland sounds?
Answer: Yes, several shark species found in North Carolina’s oceans also occur in the state’s sounds and estuaries. Species like Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip, bonnethead, smoothhound, and especially bull sharks (which tolerate brackish and freshwater) frequently enter sounds such as Pamlico, Core, and Albemarle to feed, migrate, or use as nurseries. While many ocean species stay offshore, these adaptable ones cross between habitats seasonally. Most sound sharks are transient juveniles or smaller species.
