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Medicare Agent in Wilmington, NC
Trying to pick a health insurance plan can be a chore for anyone. For many people, just mentioning the word "open enrollment" sends shivers down the spine. It seems like there's always a nagging feeling that you're wasting money, choosing a plan with poor in-network care, or both. One would think that health insurance gets easier as you approach retirement age, but the truth is that picking an initial Medicare coverage plan can be daunting.
Unfortunately, the confusing process of signing up for Medicare causes many seniors to forego healthcare coverage altogether. After all, Medicare enrollment can involve several federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (or SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (or CMS).
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, our passion is guiding seniors through the confusion of Medicare. That way, they can enjoy retirement with peace of mind knowing they are protected and ready for life after 65. We work with dozens of insurance companies, giving our clients the chance to choose a plan that best fits their lifestyle.
We choose to design our senior insurance plans with a focus on optimal benefits structure, lower costs, and personalized service. Some independent insurance agencies see their aging customers as nothing more than a financial transaction waiting to happen. In contrast, we treat each of our clients with respect and dignity as we help them navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. Combined with individualized service, we help older Americans make well-informed decisions about insurance. Whether you're in need of senior Medicare Supplement Plan insurance in Wilmington, NC or simply have questions about signing up for Medicare, our team is here to help.
- Helping Seniors Make Better-Informed Medicare Decisions
- What is Medicare?
- The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including
- Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Wilmington, NC
- Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
- Medicare Agent in Wilmington, NC
- How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
- Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
- Paying for Your Medicare Agent
- The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
What is Medicare?
If you're approaching the golden years of your life, it's important you understand what Medicare is if you don't already.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program reserved for people older than 65 who have worked full-time for at least ten years. The Medicare program is paid for by a combination of worker payroll tax, premiums paid by Medicare enrollees, and the U.S. government.
There are four parts of Medicare:
This type of Medicare is free for most U.S. citizens. Medicare Part A helps older adults pay for care in a nursing facility, hospital visits, and some forms of in-home senior care.
This tier costs around $100 per month. It covers different outpatient services like lab tests, preventative care, doctor's visits, mental health care, clinical trials, and some forms of surgery.
This type of Medicare is most often called Medicare Advantage. This tier of Medicare allows seniors to choose health plans provided by insurance companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Individuals who use Medicare Advantage commonly use Medicare supplement plan insurance to help pay for health care costs that Original Medicare won't cover, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments.
Sometimes called "PDPs," these plans add drug coverage to standard Medicare, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), some Medicare Cost Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA).
The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including:
- What kind of care you need, and how often it is needed.
- The type of Medicare coverage you choose.
- Whether there are alternative insurance policies that will help fill gaps in your coverage
- Whether a doctor agrees to charge you the same amount that Medicare will cover for a medical service
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, we offer a number of health insurance solutions for seniors. Two of our most used services include Medicare Advantage plan insurance and Medicare supplement plan insurance.
Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Wilmington, NC
Sometimes called Medigap, the purpose of Medicare Supplement Insurance is to help fill in "gaps" that might not be covered by Original Medicare. You can think of a Medigap policy as a supplement for your Original Medicare benefits.
Private companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services sell this type of insurance right here in South Carolina. While Original Medicare will pay for much of the cost associated with health care services you need, it may not cover all of your expenses. Generally, Medigap policies do not cover costs stemming from eyeglasses, private-duty nurses, dental care, hearing aids, or long-term care.
Depending on the Medicare Supplement Plan that you choose, it may cover out-of-the-country medical services when you travel abroad. Assuming you have Original Medicare coverage, your policy will cover its share of Medicare-approved health care costs. Once your Original Medicare coverage reaches its limit, your Medigap policy will pay its share of the fees.
Our Medigap policies are drafted to meet your specific needs, and can help cover remaining health care costs such as:
Deductibles
Copayments
Coinsurance
Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
To dispel some confusion, you should know that a Medigap policy is not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan. The latter helps you receive Medicare benefits, while the former supplements the benefits you obtain through your Original Medicare plan. As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
- To qualify for a Medigap policy, you must first have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
- Payments on your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan will be made to the private insurance company that you choose, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. These payments are made every month and are paid in addition to the monthly payment you make for Medicare Part B.
- If you are the holder of a Medicare Advantage Plan, it is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a senior Medicare Supplement Policy. If you plan on switching back to an Original Medicare plan, you may be able to purchase a Medigap policy.
- If you have health problems as you age, your standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed to be renewable. So long as you pay your monthly premium, your insurance provider cannot cancel your policy.
- Medigap policies only cover one person. If you have a spouse or family member that would like coverage, they must purchase a separate policy.
- You may only buy a Senior Medicare Supplement Plan from an insurance agent that is licensed to sell them in your state. Senior Medicare Insurance Services has been licensed to sell Medigap policies in South Carolina for years. We have helped countless seniors get the Medicare coverage they need and continue to do so to this day.
- In the past, Medigap policies were able to cover costs related to prescription drugs. As of January 1st, 2006, prescription drug coverage is not available on Medicare Supplement Plans. The best way to get coverage for your prescription drugs is to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, often called Part D. Contact our office today to learn more about paying premiums on Medigap and Medicare plans.
For many people, the best time to buy senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Wilmington, NC is during the 7 months Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period starts the day you turn 65 years old, so long as you hold Medical Insurance (Medicare Part B). Generally, during the enrollment period, you get more policy choices and better pricing. Once the enrollment period is over, you may not be able to purchase a Medigap policy. Contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services today to determine if you qualify for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
Medicare Agent in Wilmington, NC
A Medicare Advantage Plan is a kind of Medicare health coverage designed to provide seniors with all their Part A and Part B Medicare benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will often include coverage of the following:
- Preferred Provider Organizations
- Special Needs Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service
- Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans
- Health Maintenance Organizations
In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans give seniors coverage for their prescription drug needs. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan through Senior Medicare Insurance Services, your Medicare benefits are covered through your plan and will not be paid for by traditional Medicare.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Sometimes called "MA Plans" or "Part C," Medicare Advantage Plans are considered an "all in one" solution to Original Medicare. Senior Medicare Advantage Plans are only offered by private companies that are approved, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Seniors who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan are still on Medicare. However, these individuals enjoy bundled plans that give seniors the benefits of hospital insurance (Medicare Part A), medical insurance (Medicare Part B), and sometimes drug coverage (Part D).
Medicare Advantage Plans are very popular because they cover all Medicare services and make life a little easier for seniors who have trouble understanding the nuances of Medicare.
When you contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services to choose your Medicare Advantage Plan, ask your agent about Medicare prescription drug coverage. Unless you already have drug coverage (Part D), you should seriously consider Part D coverage to help reduce costs associated with prescription drugs. You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan to help fill gaps in coverage that Original Medicare will not cover.
Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
Medicare works by paying a set amount of money to the companies that offer Medicare Agent in Wilmington, NC. That money is used to pay for the care services that you need. Because Medicare Advantage Plans are different, you should expect out-of-pocket costs to vary depending on the plan you choose.
Different plans have different rules for how you receive services, such as:
If you must go to facilities, suppliers, or doctors that belong to your Advantage Plan for non-urgent and non-emergency care.-
Whether you must get a referral to see a specialized doctor
Companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans must follow strict rules, which are set by Medicare and can change every year.
Paying for Your Medicare Agent
How much you pay for your Medicare Advantage Plan varies and depends on a few different factors. In most cases, if you need a kind of medical service, you will need to rely on the doctors and providers in your plan's service area and network to pay the lowest amounts. In some cases, if you choose to use a service outside of your plan's network of coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket.
We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans, how they work, what your options are, and how often you will have to pay out-of-pocket, if at all.
The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
Since our company was founded, we have led the insurance industry by providing our clients with the most valuable, helpful insurance solutions available. We are fully committed to our current and prospective clients by:
Choosing to focus on personalized, one-on-one service. When you work with our team, know that we will always design your health insurance plan with your best interests in mind.-
Listening to your specific needs. -
Responding to all inquiries and questions promptly and with a friendly attitude. -
Providing you with the best customer service in the senior health insurance industry, whether you have questions or are ready to move forward with a Medicare plan.
Our mission is to help give seniors the best Medicare assistance available so that they may understand the Medicare process and make an informed health coverage decision. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience to assist anyone interested in Medicare. Our personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for our clients and give them greater confidence in choosing their insurance plans.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 82 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
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Latest News in Wilmington, NC
Wilmington Riverfest won’t happen in 2026, board says
Kaitlyn Aguileshttps://www.wect.com/2026/09/02/wilmington-riverfest-wont-happen-2026-board-says/
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Wilmington Riverfest has been canceled for 2026 following a unanimous board vote, with organizers blaming “untenable” city-imposed safety and logistical constraints.The Wilmington Riverfest (WRF) Board of Directors announced the decision after months of negotiating with the City of Wilmington over relocating the festival from its traditional Front Street home to Brunswick and Nutt streets.Board members said the city-proposed layout presented “insurmountable operational and safety barr...
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Wilmington Riverfest has been canceled for 2026 following a unanimous board vote, with organizers blaming “untenable” city-imposed safety and logistical constraints.
The Wilmington Riverfest (WRF) Board of Directors announced the decision after months of negotiating with the City of Wilmington over relocating the festival from its traditional Front Street home to Brunswick and Nutt streets.
Board members said the city-proposed layout presented “insurmountable operational and safety barriers” that compromised the event’s integrity.
[PREVIOUS STORY: Wilmington Riverfest at risk of major changes ahead of October festival]
“This is not a step backward—it is a strategic pivot that honors both our community and our vendors,” WRF Board President Roderick Bell said in a statement. “We are returning in 2027 with a festival that exceeds expectations, rather than compromise the quality and safety our stakeholders deserve.”
According to the board, negotiations with municipal officials began in April 2026 after the city decided to move the festival. The board cited three primary conflicts with the new location, including vendor access issues, competing events at the Wilmington Convention Center and the Wilson Center and public safety risks stemming from the city’s requirement to keep major intersections open during the festival.
[ READ MORE: ‘Stuck in a parking lot’: Riverfest president pushes back on city’s proposed location for annual festival]
Board officials said they submitted multiple alternative layouts to resolve the issues. While the city approved the most limited of those alternative designs on Aug. 31, organizers said the decision came too late to save this year’s planning cycle.
“Attempting to move forward with the layout at this time is not feasible and the event remains operationally hindered,” the board stated.
All sponsors, vendors and community partners will receive full refunds for their 2026 financial commitments, the board said. To preserve partnerships for the future, the board is offering priority booking and enhanced terms for the 2027 festival, along with quarterly updates on ongoing venue negotiations.
Organizers are also urging residents, vendors and sponsors to lobby city leadership directly regarding the festival’s economic and cultural importance. The board plans to spend the next year collaborating with city and regional stakeholders to secure a sustainable venue, setting a July 1, 2027, deadline for layout approval.
“The board and committee leadership remains hopeful about coming to a collaborative resolution with the City of Wilmington,” Bell said. “I believe we share the same goal, which is a 2027 Riverfest celebration that represents the very best of Wilmington and the Cape Fear region.”
A spokesperson from the City sent WECT the following statement:
On a Wilmington road, one development growing fast while another stalls
Bob Liepahttps://www.starnewsonline.com/story/business/real-estate/2026/09/04/the-latest-on-developments-on-military-cutoff-road-in-wilmington-nc/91488878007/
Not far from where one Wilmington development is rapidly building sits another with no visible signs of progress.A mixed-use development known as The Avenue is planned for a nearly 45-acre tract around the 300 block of Military Cutoff Road that had once housed the Hidden Lakes Mobile Home community. The development is to be built on land encompassing a number of addresses, including 347, 349 and 565 Military Cutoff Road, 302 and 306 Lance Drive and 128 East Westwood Drive, according to site plans.CIP Construction, a division of...
Not far from where one Wilmington development is rapidly building sits another with no visible signs of progress.
A mixed-use development known as The Avenue is planned for a nearly 45-acre tract around the 300 block of Military Cutoff Road that had once housed the Hidden Lakes Mobile Home community. The development is to be built on land encompassing a number of addresses, including 347, 349 and 565 Military Cutoff Road, 302 and 306 Lance Drive and 128 East Westwood Drive, according to site plans.
CIP Construction, a division of The Carroll Companies, calls The Avenue “one of the most unconventional assets” in its portfolio. The development is planned for retail, restaurants, boutiques, office space and 500 luxury apartments as well as a Westin Hotel with a spa and conference space. The company’s website calls it a “new benchmark for luxury and style in the Southeast.”
A project ‘in development’
While another nearby mixed-use development, Center Point, is close to opening at the intersection of Eastwood and Military Cutoff roads, The Avenue project is not showing obvious signs of progress.
Shop the best deals before they're goneThe company’s website lists The Avenue as being “in development.” Several messages left for The Carroll Companies inquiring about the project’s status were not returned prior to deadline.
Signs at the site, which has a large pile of soil near pieces of construction equipment, advertise “Modern Style” and “Old World Charm.”
What the project entails
Plans call for 13 buildings over nearly 500,000 square feet. Ten of those buildings are to house retail, restaurant and office space, with residential units above them.
A six-story and four-story parking structure would provide nearly 1,200 parking spaces.
The $200 million-plus project has been in the works for several years. Plans for the development became public in 2017. The Avenue was released for construction on Feb. 8, 2024.
Things are happening in the busy area. Earlier this summer, Center Point announced the first four commercial tenants for its project on an 18-acre site in the Mayfaire corridor at 1541 Eastwood Road.
Businesses sign on for next major Wilmington developmentThat $500 million project is to include more than 100,000 square feet of retail and restaurant spaces as well as residential and office components. The housing part of the project, known as The Sterling, will comprise 265 apartment units. Openings for The Sterling are projected for this winter through early 2027.
Meanwhile, what would be the first Chase Bank in Wilmington is planned for 1331 Military Cutoff Road, the site of the former Wild Wing Cafe. A project review for Chase Mayfaire, as the project is known, was completed for the 3,319-square-foot bank and the project was released for construction on Feb. 18, according to city public records.
The branch will open next year, JPMorganChase spokesperson Caroline Hicks said. She added a new Chase branch in Hampstead has a grand opening scheduled for Sept. 23.
The 1.2-acre site, zoned regional business, was purchased by CC Landfall, LLC for $30.75 million on Aug. 31, 2022, per New Hanover County property records.
Bob Liepa is the city of Wilmington and public safety reporter for the StarNews. You can reach him at RLiepa@usatodayco.com.
Wilmington council votes to oppose aspects of Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement plan
Delaney Tarpleyhttps://www.wect.com/2026/09/04/wilmington-council-votes-oppose-aspects-cape-fear-memorial-bridge-replacement-plan/
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Wilmington City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Sep. 1, to recommend that one design option and one option to pay for a new Cape Fear Memorial Bridge be taken off the table.Council wants NCDOT to eliminate the 135-foot, fixed bridge option, also known as Alternative B. According to council, the issue is where that bridge would land.“It would land in Wilmington at 5th Avenue. We’re looking at upwards of 15,000 additional cars moving north on Fifth Avenue with that alternative. And Fifth A...
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Wilmington City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Sep. 1, to recommend that one design option and one option to pay for a new Cape Fear Memorial Bridge be taken off the table.
Council wants NCDOT to eliminate the 135-foot, fixed bridge option, also known as Alternative B. According to council, the issue is where that bridge would land.
“It would land in Wilmington at 5th Avenue. We’re looking at upwards of 15,000 additional cars moving north on Fifth Avenue with that alternative. And Fifth Avenue just does not built for that level of traffic,” councilmember Cassidy Santaguida said.
The second largest part of Wilmington’s official recommendation is eliminating tolls as a way to pay for the project.
“A toll is going to impact the workers in our community who cross the bridge every day,” Santaguida said. “It’s going to impact people who come into the city for recreation, for health care appointments, to go to school.”
The resolution does not make any official changes. The North Carolina Department of Transportation is taking public comments on the project, and the resolution will serve as the city’s official comment for the public record.
The Cape Fear area is one year out from a deadline to secure a large chunk of funding for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement project. There are still many unknowns about the project, including how the bridge will look and how it will be paid off.
“It’s the biggest swing that we’re taking from a transportation infrastructure investment. We want to make sure we get it right,” Public Affairs Officer for Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Megan Mullins said.
City council’s resolution also recommends DOT look at more options and delay any final decision until reviews are done on environmental and historical impacts.
The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce’s position is to keep the project moving forward.
“We have federal and and state grant funds to to the sum of $327 million that are tied to a deadline next September,” Mullins said. “We need to meet this deadline to keep that grant funding in play. It’s important that we get it right and that we keep the process moving.”
NCDOT’s public comment period goes until Oct. 15. There will be two public hearings on the bridge replacement project:
Public comments can be submitted via phone, email or through NCDOT’s public input portal until Oct. 15.
Click here for more information on the bridge replacement project.
Here's why fall is the best time for planting in the Wilmington area
Amy Meadhttps://www.starnewsonline.com/story/lifestyle/home-garden/2026/09/04/tips-for-planting-trees-shrubs-this-fall-in-wilmington-nc/91561048007/
After a summer of brutal heat and drought, my backyard garden has definitely taken a hit, and it looks like I’ll be replacing a few plants that just couldn't take the stress.Fortunately, the timing couldn't be better. I’m heading to the Cape Fear Native Plant Festival Shopping Day on Saturday, Sept. 19 to look for some new native plants to add to the garden.In particular, I'm on the lookout for Shrubby St. John's Wort, Hypericum prolificum, to add to my pollinator garden. This compact flowering shrub has lovely yell...
After a summer of brutal heat and drought, my backyard garden has definitely taken a hit, and it looks like I’ll be replacing a few plants that just couldn't take the stress.
Fortunately, the timing couldn't be better. I’m heading to the Cape Fear Native Plant Festival Shopping Day on Saturday, Sept. 19 to look for some new native plants to add to the garden.
In particular, I'm on the lookout for Shrubby St. John's Wort, Hypericum prolificum, to add to my pollinator garden. This compact flowering shrub has lovely yellow flowers that are wildly popular with bees. As soon as the heat breaks, I’ll be ready to get my new shrubs straight into the ground.
5 native plants to transform your hot, dry Wilmington-area gardenWhy Fall Planting is Best for Plants
Many gardeners assume that the spring is the best time to plant, but in reality, cooler air and warm soil temperatures make fall the perfect season for establishing new shrubs, trees, and perennials.
Shop the best deals before they're goneThere are several factors that help to give plants a head start when planted in the fall.
While leaves may fall and above ground plant growth slows, warm autumn soil encourages active root development. By the time spring arrives, a deep, well-established root system gives plants a massive head start before the hot temps of summer arrive.
Fall in coastal North Carolina typically brings more manageable temperatures and reliable rainfall compared to the intense heat and dry spells of summer. Soil stays evenly moist for longer periods, which helps to reduce transplant shock for newly planted landscaping plants. This natural humidity and rainfall allow new roots to settle in with far less stress.
As temperatures cool, major insect populations, fungal pathogens, and aggressive weed activity drop off significantly. Newly planted foliage faces far less pressure from destructive pests and doesn't have to compete with fast-growing summer weeds for vital soil nutrients. This pest-free buffer allows young plants to adapt and build strength uninterrupted.
Old Farmer's Almanac predicts cooler fall for Wilmington areaHow to Set Plants up for Success
N.C. State Extension recommends following some simple best practices when planting your new shrubs or trees. Fall planting success starts with digging a hole two to three times wider than the root ball while keeping the plant's root flare level with the surrounding soil. Always backfill with native soil rather than heavy amendments to encourage roots to spread outward. Water deeply immediately after planting to settle air pockets, and continue deep, periodic soakings through late autumn if there isn't sufficient rainfall. A good, two-to-three-inch layer of organic mulch across the root zone will help to stabilize soil temperatures and conserve moisture.
By planting your new nursery finds this fall instead of waiting until spring, you give them the ultimate head start. Soon, my new Shrubby St. John's Wort will be safely tucked into warm autumn soil, with plenty of time to get established before the heat of next summer returns.
Amy Mead is the County Extension Director in New Hanover County. She can be reached at afmead@ncsu.edu. Visit NC Cooperative Extension at the New Hanover County Arboretum.
Sharks seen gathering off the NC coast, video shows. How to avoid a bite
Raleigh News & Observerhttps://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article316936140.html
As vacationers flock to the coast this Labor Day weekend, the fear of sharks could keep some beachgoers out of the water.Drone video shared with WECT in August shows dozens of sharks in the waters off North Carolina. But experts said the Wilmington-area footage showcases a healthy ecosystem and don’t believe it signals danger to the public.Joel Fodrie, professor and director of the Duke University Marine Lab, said it may be only the second time he’s seen that many sharks in a video during his roughly 17 years of wor...
As vacationers flock to the coast this Labor Day weekend, the fear of sharks could keep some beachgoers out of the water.
Drone video shared with WECT in August shows dozens of sharks in the waters off North Carolina. But experts said the Wilmington-area footage showcases a healthy ecosystem and don’t believe it signals danger to the public.
Joel Fodrie, professor and director of the Duke University Marine Lab, said it may be only the second time he’s seen that many sharks in a video during his roughly 17 years of working with the animals in the state. The sharks could be blacktips, a species that sometimes moves around in groups.
“When it happens here — which is probably, you know, every few years it happens — we don’t always get a video of it,” Fodrie told The News & Observer in a Monday, Aug. 31 phone interview.
Though sharks rarely bite people, attacks can have serious consequences. So as we enter another weekend of beach-friendly weather, we turned to experts to learn about the presence of sharks and how to avoid bites in North Carolina.
Where do sharks live?
Sharks can be found in the Atlantic Ocean, given North Carolina’s waters are on a migration path for species traveling along the East Coast. And many sharks on the move also live in the state’s brackish waters, the N.C. Sea Grant wrote on its website.
Hap Fatzinger, director of the N.C. Aquariums Division, told WECT that migrations could explain why the video Adam Pflum shared with the TV station showed a group of sharks gathered off Masonboro Island. The N&O has reached out for the footage and is awaiting a response.
Though sharks are found off our state’s waters, attacks are rare. That means driving to the coast or getting caught in a rip current may present greater risks, according to experts.
“I think if people focused on the odds and not the stakes, they certainly wouldn’t rank sharks in their top 20 worries of going to the beach,” Fodrie told The N&O.
Which sharks live off NC?
Sharks found in North Carolina waters include the great white, bull, sand tiger, scalloped hammerhead, blacktip and Atlantic sharpnose.
This year, scientists have caught 100 sharks off the North Carolina coast. More than three-fourths of those sharks were Atlantic sharpnose, a relatively small species that can grow to nearly 3 feet, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and data shared with The News & Observer on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
The figures come from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Institute of Marine Sciences, which works with the Duke lab to document sharks during warmer months. The creatures often are caught close to shore on hooks south and west of Cape Lookout.
“So far, 2026 data appear pretty consistent with what we’ve been seeing in the survey over the last 2+ decades: smaller, 3-4 ft sharks make up majority of our catch,” Holly Doerr, research specialist at the UNC institute, told The N&O in a Wednesday, Sept. 2 email.
“Catch totals peak in the summer months when the water is warm, and more sharks/species are closer to shore (though we do experience non-summer seasonality of some species).”
How common are shark attacks?
The N&O hasn’t reported on any shark attacks in North Carolina this year. The International Shark Attack File confirmed one unprovoked attack in the state for all of 2025, according to data shared with The N&O.
And of the 31 bites reported in the state between 2012 and 2021, none were deadly, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
“They’re pretty rare,” Larry Cahoon, then a marine biology professor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, previously told The Observer. “We had a spate of them in 2015 when there were about eight of them in the span of three weeks, but that was very unusual.”
Though it’s uncommon for sharks to attack people, Fodrie said shark “encounters probably aren’t that rare.” The animals likely are near swimmers, but they tend to be wary.
“At some point, you’ve probably come within a football field or two of a shark, because this is where sharks live — in the coastal zone, along beaches, near inlets,” Fodrie told The N&O.
How to avoid shark bites
The underwater vision of sharks is similar to ours, but they can hear people swimming and wading. That means bites can be cases of “mistaken identity,” The Observer previously reported.
“Often they’ll take a bite and realize, ‘Oh, that’s not what I thought it was,’ then take off,” Cahoon previously told The Observer.
So, how can you reduce the chance of being bitten by a shark? Here are some safety tips experts have shared:
“I think the only silver bullet is to not go in the water,” Fodrie said. “And as a people, we just accept the fact that going in the water is too fulfilling to our souls to totally abandon those activities.”
Portions of this story were previously published in The Charlotte Observer.
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