Discovery Channel’s Shark Week is here, and while you can watch sharks on TV, Texas waters are home to a variety of these fascinating creatures. Galveston Bay and the entire Texas Coast provide a rich habitat for several shark species, from the more common ones to the ones that prefer the deeper waters.
Sharks That Live in Galveston Bay
Galveston is home to a number of shark species, making it one of the shark-ier spots in the Gulf of Mexico, according to Mark Fisher, the science director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Coastal Fisheries Division. The sharks that call Galveston home include:
Bull Sharks
Blacktip Sharks
Spinner Sharks
Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks
Beyond the bay, you can also find more powerful sharks like:
Mako Sharks
Tiger Sharks
Great Hammerhead Sharks
Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks
Though not common in shallow waters, great white sharks have also been spotted off the Texas coast, particularly further from shore.
Sharks and Stingrays: Close Relatives in the Gulf
In addition to sharks, another close relative, the stingray, shares the waters of Galveston Bay. Stingrays might look quite different from sharks, but they are also elasmobranchs, a group of fish with cartilage instead of bones. One of the most common stingrays in Galveston Bay is the Atlantic stingray.
This variety of sharks and rays is a result of the diverse ecosystem in the area, which includes freshwater from rivers, the Texas coast, and offshore environments, all of which support a wide range of marine life.
Why Do Sharks Live in Texas Bays?
Galveston and other Gulf Coast bays are ideal environments for sharks, especially for smaller sharks that are somewhat protected from larger predators.
These bays offer plenty of food, as rivers bring in nutrients and freshwater, which help small fish, crabs, and shrimp thrive. These creatures become the perfect food source for sharks.
For species like bull sharks, Texas bays serve as a nursery for their young. Bull sharks often give birth in the low-salinity waters near the mouths of rivers in Galveston Bay, where the newborn sharks are safe from larger threats. As they grow, these sharks move into saltier waters further south in the bay and eventually head out along the coast.
In addition to bull sharks, species like the blacktip shark and other juvenile sharks also spend their early years in these calm, food-rich waters, which support their growth and development.
How Likely Is It to See a Shark in Galveston?
If you’re worried about encountering a shark while enjoying the waters of Galveston, there’s no need to be concerned. The chances of actually seeing a shark are very low, but you might notice signs of their presence.
For example, wade fishermen may find their catch has been stolen by a shark. However, these encounters are rare and usually don’t pose any danger to people.
According to Fisher, there has not been a fatal shark attack in Texas since 1962, so there’s no reason for the public to be concerned about sharks in Galveston waters.
In fact, Fisher notes that if you’ve spent a lot of time in the water, you’ve probably been within 50 to 75 yards of a shark without even realizing it. Sharks, in general, do not pose a threat to humans in these areas.
Texas is home to a wide variety of sharks, many of which call Galveston Bay and the Gulf Coast home. These waters offer a safe and food-rich environment for both young and adult sharks, making it one of the most diverse ecosystems for these creatures.
While encountering a shark in Galveston is unlikely, it’s important to understand that these animals are a natural part of the environment and are not a danger to people.
