Shark sightings are a regular occurrence along the Alabama Gulf Coast, but Dr. Sean Powers insists that indicates a healthy ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico.
For those enjoying our beautiful beaches, Powers, head of the University of South Alabama’s Marine and Environmental Sciences Department, says most sharks that inhabit the shallow water in the nearshore zones are “really small.”
“Alabama has a diversity of sharks,” Powers said. “The Gulf has about 50 species with about 20 to 30 species that beachgoers and fishermen can encounter. Most of those are really small and only pose an aggravation to the fishermen.”
Powers said the most common species is the Atlantic sharpnose, which maxes out at about 3½ feet long. Spinner and blacktip sharks are the species that inshore anglers and beach fishermen will interact with regularly.
Powers said anglers won’t encounter nearly as many sharks in the spring but that shark numbers increase in June.
“Even the small ones will be offshore in more stable temperatures until the water warms up, and they come inshore to feed,” he said. “Then, when it gets too hot in August and September, they kind of retreat. They are really temperature sensitive. They don’t like it too cold or too hot.”
“The ones people have to be alert for are bull sharks, and we get a lot of bull sharks in Alabama close to shore and in the bays. More than any other shark, bull sharks are specialized for estuaries. They can deal with fluctuating salinities, high temperatures, and high turbidity. It’s kind of what they’ve evolved to do. The thing is, bull sharks don’t have great vision. They’re mainly going by vibrations or signs of distress or smell.”
Powers said Alabama is a significant nursery ground for bull sharks and tiger sharks, and it’s not unusual to hear reports of bull sharks being hooked or sighted far up the Alabama and Tombigbee river systems.
“The furthest north a bull shark has ever been recorded is St. Louis on the Mississippi River,” he said. “So they are very well adjusted to the conditions in the bays along the Alabama coast.”
Powers said every time he gives a presentation on sharks. He emphasizes that any severe encounter with sharks is still a “rare, rare” occurrence.
However, he advises anyone visiting the Gulf Shores-Orange Beach area to be mindful of the beach flag warning system.
“If they see a purple flag, that’s an indication of dangerous sea life,” Powers said. “If they see a shark, they can just withdraw, and the sharks will be on their way shortly. The bull sharks and blacktip sharks are the ones the beachgoers will probably even notice. The smaller ones, they probably won’t even notice.”
When you head offshore on a fishing trip, Powers said the most common species that anglers will encounter are tiger and sandbar sharks. Anglers who reel in only half a reef fish are likely dealing with those two species.
“Those are the ones the red snapper fishermen encounter with the bite-offs,” he said. “Those species are increasing in abundance. From what the fishermen have told me, the tigers and sandbars are absolutely healthy, and they’re getting more bite-offs than they’ve ever seen.”
Several Alabama charter boats offer shark fishing trips in the Gulf.
Be sure to check out the dates for shark fishing season and book your trip from one of the several Alabama charter boats that offer shark fishing trips.
Powers said anglers need to be aware of the numerous species of sharks that are prohibited from being harvested, including the sandbar shark.
Grab your rod and reel and head to the Alabama Gulf Coast for a memorable fishing trip!
