Sharks in Mississippi

Mississippi has over 15 shark species including some of the big ones like the nurse and hammerhead sharks and smaller species such as the Atlantic sharpnose and blacknose sharks.  Shark attacks aren’t that common in Mississippi, with just three incidents recorded by the International Shark Attack File, all of which are unprovoked. The first two attacks in 1879, and 1906 were fatal. However, in the third one in 1960, the victim did not succumb to injuries.

List of the Different Types of Sharks in Mississippi

Species	Maximum Size	Aggressiveness
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark	2-4 feet	Moderately aggressive
Blacknose Shark	3-5 feet	Not aggressive
Blacktip Shark	5-8 feet	Moderately aggressive
Sandbar Shark	5.5-8.5 feet	Not aggressive
Silky Shark	7-10 feet	Highly aggressive
Dusky Shark	9 -12 feet	Not aggressive (until provoked)
Bull Shark	7-12 feet	Highly aggressive
Shortfin Mako	6.5-9.5 feet	Highly aggressive
Tiger Shark	10-14 feet	Highly aggressive
Nurse Shark	18-32 feet	Not aggressive
Gulper Shark	2.5-3 feet	Not aggressive
Gulf Smooth-hound	3.5-4.5 feet	Not aggressive
Bonnethead Shark	4-5 feet	Not aggressive
Scalloped Hammerhead	9-12 feet	Moderately aggressive
Great Hammerhead	15-20 feet	Highly aggressive
Spinner Shark	7-8 feet	Not aggressive

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