Some take up permanent residence offshore, while others are present in our estuaries and nearshore waters during pupping or migration.
Summer months are an active period for many sharks along our coast due to ideal environmental conditions and an abundance of food sources.
Known as apex predators, sharks often reside at the top of the marine food web and help keep the populations of species lower on the food web in check.
• Atlantic sharpnose sharks grow to 3 to 4 feet and are characterized by whitish spots along their sides.
• A smaller relative of the hammerhead, bonnethead sharks can reach up to 5 feet.
Some beach-goers fear sharks, but despite the peak shark activity and influx of visitors to our beaches in the summer, unprovoked shark incidents are extremely rare along the Georgia coast.
Georgia has a much shorter coastline than its neighbors to the north and south, and many of its islands and beaches are not accessible by vehicle, which may contribute to lower encounters.