15-foot great white shark pings off SC coast

OCEARCH, the data tracker application that records the travels of oceanic life, has registered a 15-foot shark named Luna off the coast of Charleston.

Luna has been moving north, from off the coast of Florida, for quite some time, but the latest ping came on May 9.

OCEARCH has been tracking the 15-foot great white shark since October 2018. Luna weighs 2,137 pounds.

It is not unusual for a great white shark to ping off the Outer Banks.

OCEARCH has tagged more than 400 animals over the course of the past 12 years.

Organization tracks great white sharks off Wrightsville Beach

Shark attacks are very rare, but they do happen in North Carolina. Experts offer these tips for sharing the ocean:

• Swim in a group. Most sharks attack individuals, as they mistake humans for other ocean creatures.
• Stay close to the shore. If you swim out too far, you’ll isolate yourself, be away from help and be closer to the shark’s territory.
• Avoid swimming in the ocean at night: Sharks are most active at night.
• Don’t go in the water if shark warnings are posted.
• Be careful near sandbars and ocean drop offs.
• Don't enter the water with an open wound.
• Watch for sea life. Sharks eat fish, so if they see a school of fish, they’re likely to go for it.
• Use common sense and be alert.