No confirmed photo of Blacktip shark
Blacktip shark
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Are there sharks in North Carolina?
Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
On this page
Yes.
NC DMF says North Carolina is home to a variety of shark species; its 2026 proclamation names species authorized for harvest and species that must be released.
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Marine Fisheries: “North Carolina is home to a variety of different shark species.” Source
Think you have seen one in North Carolina? Keep your distance and contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC).
The 12 on North Carolina's list
No confirmed photo of Bull shark
Bull shark
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Hammerhead, great shark
Hammerhead, great shark
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Hammerhead, scalloped shark
Hammerhead, scalloped shark
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Hammerhead, smooth shark
Hammerhead, smooth shark
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Lemon shark
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Nurse shark
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Spinner shark
Spinner shark
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Tiger shark
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Atlantic Sharpnose shark
Atlantic Sharpnose shark
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Blacknose shark
Blacknose shark
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Bonnethead shark
Bonnethead shark
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
All sharks, rays and other marine animals in the state: North Carolina sharks and marine life.
When sharks, rays and other marine animals are seen in North Carolina
Other questions about North Carolina
Sources
- Sharks (Species Profiles). N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Marine Fisheries. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“North Carolina is home to a variety of different shark species.”
- Proclamation FF-3-2026: Shark - Commercial and Recreational - Opening Date and Harvest Restrictions. N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Marine Fisheries. effective 12:01 A.M., January 1, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
- GBIF.org occurrence records, human observations licensed CC0 1.0 or CC BY 4.0 only, accessed November 3, 2026. The datasets behind these counts are listed on our Sources page.