South Carolina has around 12 shark species, with the state ranking fourth after Florida, Hawaii, and California when it comes to shark attacks. The 2021 data of the International Shark Attack File has recorded four unprovoked attacks in SC with 0 fatalities.
Of the several shark sightings in 2022, the significant ones include the blacktip shark sighted swimming close to Forest Beach on Hilton Head Island during the Labor Day weekend in September. Breton, a 13-foot male great white shark, was tracked by Ocearch along the coast of Myrtle Beach on the 2nd of August 2022.
List of the Different Types of Sharks in South Carolina
| Species | Maximum Size | Aggressiveness |
| Bull Shark | 7-12 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Bonnethead Sharks | 4-5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Great White Shark | 11-16 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Lemon Shark | 9-10 feet | Not aggressive |
| Finetooth Shark | 5-6 feet | Not aggressive |
| Blacknose Shark | 3-5 feet | Not aggressive |
| Tiger Shark | 10-14 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Nurse Shark | 18-32 feet | Not aggressive |
| Scalloped Hammerhead | 9-12 feet | Moderately aggressive |
| Great Hammerhead | 15-20 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Sand Tiger Shark | 7-10 feet | Not aggressive (due to their small mouths) |
| Blacktip Shark | 5-8 feet | Moderately aggressive |
Interesting Facts
- South Carolina has always held a special place in the United States’ history of paleontology, as North America’s first recorded vertebrate fossils came from here. In 2022, the rich reserves of the state once again came to light when an 8-year-old boy Lebanon came across a fossilized shark tooth, 4.75 inches long, during a vacation at Myrtle Beach with his family.
- In 2022 incident a unique incident of a shark nipping the foot of an alligator was filmed, unintentionally though. One Cory Conlon was taking the video of the alligator when he spotted the shark coming right up to it and attacking it. The alligator jumped in surprise at the sudden event but didn’t seem hurt.
FAQs
1. What is the shark fishing season in South Carolina?
Shark in SC can be caught during summer near the inlets and estuaries along Murrells Inlet, Little River Inlet, and other areas adjacent to the Grand Strand region. The common catches include the sandbar, blacktip, and bull sharks.
