Great Hammerhead Shark Found Dead on Carolina Beach
CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. — A striking scene unfolded on the sand this week when a massive great hammerhead shark washed up dead along Carolina Beach, drawing attention from both locals and marine biologists.
Discovery on Sand Dollar Lane
According to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Marine Fisheries division, town officials notified the Wilmington office after the shark was spotted near Sand Dollar Lane. Biologists quickly responded to document the rare find.
“It was a female greater hammerhead,” a spokesperson confirmed. “Biologists collected information and took DNA samples on the shark before it was disposed of.”
Massive Size Stuns Residents
The shark measured 9 feet, 4 inches from its snout to the fork of its tail and stretched 12 feet, 2.5 inches to the tip of its extended tail. Weighing roughly 600 pounds, the shark is considered a giant even within its species.
The great hammerhead is recognized by the Shark Research Institute as the largest of all hammerhead species, with individuals sometimes exceeding 20 feet in length in the wild.
Parts Preserved for Research
While the carcass was ultimately disposed of at a waste management facility, officials said the shark’s head will be preserved at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences for educational and scientific purposes.
Conservation Context
Great hammerhead sharks are classified as critically endangered due to overfishing and habitat loss. Though sightings and strandings in the Carolinas are uncommon, marine scientists use these rare occurrences to study population health and migration patterns.
The discovery has sparked interest among locals and conservationists, serving as a reminder of the fragile balance of marine ecosystems along North Carolina’s coast.
Have you seen unusual marine wildlife along the Carolina coast this summer? Share your stories with us at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
