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BUXTON, N.C. (AP) — Research by a doctoral candidate at East Carolina University is suggesting that the number of large and potentially dangerous sharks in the Pamlico Sound may be increasing.
The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk reports (http://bit.ly/1HVRLJT) research done by Charles Bangley says a rise in water temperatures and a thriving habitat may be persuading bull shark mothers to give birth in the sound rather than in Florida.
Bangley, who has been researching sharks along that coast, presented his findings last week in Buxton as part of an educational program sponsored by the National Park Service.
Using longline and gill nets to sample in the Pamlico Sound, Bangley found 36 juvenile bull sharks since 2012. He said that by comparison, a study from 1965 to 2011 turned up a total of 113 bull sharks.
"It's possible the Pamlico Sound represents a new nursing area for bull sharks," he said.
The National Geographic website says bull sharks are aggressive and are not bothered by brackish and freshwater. Experts consider them to be the most dangerous sharks in the world and among the species most likely to attack humans.
OCEARCH, a nonprofit organization, tags great white sharks that can be followed online as they swim through the seas. At least two great whites, named Katharine and Mary Lee, have visited the Outer Banks. The 14-foot-long Katharine pinged her satellite as recently as Jan. 10 on the far west side of the Pamlico Sound.
There are five common larger sharks, including the bull shark in the Pamlico and other sounds, according to an article Bangley wrote for the N.C. Sea Grant publication called Coastwatch. Nine other species frequent the ocean side of the Outer Banks, including great white and tiger sharks.
Statistics show shark attacks are rare on the Outer Banks.
The last fatality was in 2009 when a shark bit a man who was swimming in Corolla. The last nonfatal attack came three years ago when one nipped a woman's foot while she was wading in the Avon surf.
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Information from: The Virginian-Pilot, http://pilotonline.com
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