Frying Pan Shoals

{{Short description|Shoals off the coast of North Carolina, United States}}

Image:fryingpan.jpg

The Frying Pan Shoals are a shifting area of shoals off Cape Fear in North Carolina, United States. Formed by silt from the Cape Fear River, the shoals are over 28 miles long and resemble a frying pan in shape.{{Cite news|url=http://www.myreporter.com/2009/07/what-are-frying-pan-shoals|title=What are Frying Pan Shoals?|last=Steelman|first=Ben|date=July 8, 2009|website=Wilmington Star News|language=en-US|access-date=2021-12-20}} They provide fishing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.carolinasportsman.com/fishing-hotspots/ncs-frying-pan-shoals-fills-up-with-shallow-water-grouper-in-december|title=Grouper fishing is world-class at Frying Pan Shoals|last=Disalver|first=Jerry|website=carolinasportsman.com|language=en-US|access-date=2021-12-20}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.northcarolinasportsman.com/stories/ncs_mag_5760.htm|title=Offshore fishing cranks up south and east of Cape Fear in April|last=Disalver|first=Jerry|website=northcarolinasportsman.com|language=en-US|access-date=2021-12-20}}

The shoals are known for the high number of shipwrecks found in the region and are deemed part of the Graveyard of the Atlantic.{{Cite web|url=https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2018-09-17-frying-pan-tower-flag-owner-inspiration|title=Frying Pan Tower Owner Hopes American Flag Ripped to Shreds By Florence Will Inspire People to Act|last=Wright|first=Pam|date=September 17, 2018|website=The Weather Channel|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-11}} From May 1994 to August 2008 over 130 new shipwreck locations were discovered in the area. Known since the beginning of European exploration, the shoals were marked on a map in 1738. The southern edge of the shoals has been marked by nine lightships including the Frying Pan, a light tower, and a weather buoy. The Bald Head Light and the Oak Island lighthouse have also provided warning to mariners.