Identifying Sharks And Rays - A Guide For Commercial Fishers
NSW DPIIdentifyingsharks and raysA guide forNSW commercial fishers
ImportantIf a shark or ray cannot be confidentlyidentified using this guide, it isrecommended that either digital images areobtained or the specimen is preserved.Please contact NSW DPI research staff forassistance: phone 1300 550 474 oremail uctionHow to use this guideGlossary456-7Key 1 Whaler sharks and other sharks of similar appearanceto whalers – upper precaudal pit present8-9Key 2 Sharks of similar appearance to whaler sharks – noprecaudal pit10Key 3 Mackerel (great white and mako), hammerhead andthresher sharks11Key 4 Wobbegongs and some other patternedbottom-dwelling sharks12Key 5 Sawsharks and other long-snouted sharks and rays13
Sandbar sharkBignose sharkDusky whalerSilky sharkOceanic whitetip sharkTiger sharkCommon blacktip sharkSpinner sharkBlue sharkSliteye sharkBull sharkBronze whalerWeasel sharkLemon sharkGrey nurse sharkSandtiger (Herbst’s nurse) sharkBluntnose sixgill sharkBigeye sixgill sharkBroadnose sharkSharpnose sevengill sharkDark-tailed dogfishesWhite-tailed dogfishesSouthern dogfishHarrisson’s dogfishEndeavour dogfishGummy sharkPencil sharkSchool 63738394041Great white sharkPorbeagleShortfin makoLongfin makoThresher sharkPelagic thresherBigeye thresherGreat hammerheadScalloped hammerheadSmooth hammerheadEastern angelsharkAustralian angelsharkBanded wobbegongOrnate wobbegongSpotted wobbegongDraughtboard sharkSaddled swellsharkWhitefin swellsharkPort Jackson sharkCrested hornsharkSouthern sawsharkCommon sawsharkGreen sawfishShark rayEastern fiddler rayWhite-spotted guitarfishEastern shovelnose rayGiant shovelnose 6364656667686970 -713
IntroductionMany shark and ray species are caught by commercial fishingoperations in New South Wales (NSW) waters and refined catchinformation is vital for the successful management of these species.This guide is designed to assist commercialfishers identify sharks and rays potentiallyencountered in NSW waters. Sharks and raysnot usually retained for commercial purposeshave not been included in this guide.Catch reporting arrangements for NSWcommercial fishers require that any sharksand rays landed are correctly identified andrecorded to the species or genus level usingthe codes provided by NSW Department ofPrimaries Industries (NSW DPI).This guide contains simple, easy-to-use keysthat highlight certain external distinguishingfeatures for identification purposes. Thekeys are further supported by detailedspecies information and illustrations so thatidentification can be made with confidence.If a landed shark or ray cannot beconfidently identified using this guide, it isrecommended that either digital imagesare obtained or the specimen is preserved.Please contact NSW DPI research staff forassistance. Details may be found inside thefront cover.References for this guide:Compagno, LJV 1984. FAOSpecies Catalogue, Vol. 4, Sharksof the World. An annotated andillustrated catalogue of sharksknown to date. FAO FisheriesSynopsis No. 125.Daley, RK, Stevens, JD, Last, PRand Yearsley, GK 2002. FieldGuide to Australian Sharks & Rays.CSIRO Marine Research, Hobart,Australia. 84pp.Last, PR and Stevens, JD 1994.Sharks and Rays of Australia.CSIRO, Melbourne, Australia.513pp.McAuley, R, Newbound, Dand Ashworth, R 2002. Fieldidentification guide toWestern Australian Sharks andShark-like Rays. Departmentof Fisheries, Perth, WesternAustralia. (ISBN: 1 877098 03 5)35pp.NSW DPI commercial line fishingobserver program, 2007-2008.4
How to use this guideIn designing this guide, a basic level of general knowledge is assumed about the differenttypes of sharks and rays encountered in NSW waters. Once a shark or ray has been caughtand requires identification, choose the most appropriate key from the list below – refer tothe glossary on page 6 for terminology. Keys can be found on pages 8-13.Key 1 Whaler sharks and other sharks of similar appearance to whalers – upper precaudalpit presentKey 2 Sharks of similar appearance to whaler sharks – no precaudal pitKey 3 Mackerel (great white and mako), hammerhead and thresher sharksKey 4 Wobbegongs and some other patterned bottom-dwelling sharksKey 5 Sawsharks and other long-snouted sharks and raysTo begin identification start atthe blue box and work your waythrough the key by assessing theprimary distinguishing featuresuntil you identify the species.TipsIn the case of the whalers andsimilar sharks, the primarydistinguishing features include:the presence or absence of obviousphysical features such as an upperprecaudal pit, interdorsal ridge ordorsal fin spines; the relative sizesand/or positions of the dorsal fins;and the size and shape of the upperteeth. Correct assessment of thesemain distinguishing features via thekeys should result in correct speciesidentification.With some obvious exceptions, colouration andknown distribution should not be consideredreliable primary distinguishing features – theyshould only be considered as secondaryfeatures. For example, most whaler sharks canvary in upper body colouration between lightgrey and bronze, and so a bronzy coloured sharkis not necessarily a ‘bronze whaler’. Similarly,a whaler with black tips on its fins is notnecessarily a ‘common blacktip shark’.Subsequently, turn to theappropriate page number of thatspecies as indicated on the key andconsider some of the secondarydistinguishing features (which mightinvolve teeth, body patterningor some of the primary featuresmentioned above), so that initialidentification can be confirmed witha higher degree of confidence.The primary distinguishing features of eachspecies are highlighted in orange throughoutthe illustrated pages of this guide.The known distribution of a species is just that– the known geographical distribution – andnot a definitive boundary. Not enough is knownabout the distribution of sharks and rays in NSWwaters to be able to use such information withabsolute accuracy.It should be noted that, in general, the most usefulfour features to look at in the case of most whalersand similar sharks is the presence or absence of anupper precaudal pit, interdorsal ridge, or dorsal finspine; and the size and shape of the upper teeth.The larger teeth either side of the midpoint ofthe upper jaw are the teeth to inspect.5
Glossaryanal finbarbelcaudal fincaudal peduncleconicalcrestcuspcuspletsdenticlessingle fin located on the underside behind the pelvic finsa slender sensory skin projection on the snout of some speciestail finthe section behind the anal fin connecting the body to the tailcone-shapedhardened ridge of skin above the eyes of some speciesthe main visible part of the toothsmall secondary projections next to the main cusp of toothvery small tooth-like plates that form the abrasive surface on the skindorsaldorsal finsduskyfin originflankfree rear tip (of fin)inner margin (of fin)interdorsal ridgerefers to the upper surface of the sharkfins on upper surfacegraded and/or inconsistent grey to black colourationthe forward-most point of attachment of a finside of the bodyrear tip of loose flap behind the fin attachmentedge between the fin attachment and the free rear tipraised ridge of skin between the 1st and 2nd dorsal finskeellateralleading edge (of fin)margins (of fins)pectoral finspelvic finsprecaudal pitserratedskin lobespiraclesub-apicaltasselssolid lateral fin-like projection – associated with caudal pedunclerefers to the side of the sharkforward-facing edgeleading or trailing edgeslocated on underside of the head in sharks / forms the disc in rayspaired fins located behind the pectoral finsnotch-like indentation at the base of the caudal (tail)saw-like or jaggedprojection or flap of skina respiratory opening behind the eyes of some speciesbelow the tipthin, branched skin lobestrailing edge (of fin) rear-facing edgetranslucentunderside/ventralupper body6allows light through but not totally transparentrefers to the undersurface of the sharkrefers to the body surfaces above the level of the pectoral fins
Identifying parts of the shark1stdorsal finInterdorsal ridgefin originpectoral finspelvic finsanal fincaudal(tail) finlower tail lobe‘dusky’ tippedsnoutuppertail lobe2nddorsal finfree rear tipsgill slitsupperprecaudal pit‘dipped in paint’SHAPE OF SNOUTnostrilmouthbluntshort androundedlong androundedpointed7
8YesNoSpinnershark(p21)Common blacktipshark(p20)In such cases the teeth are the bestdistinguishing featuresizes larger than about 130 m longmay lack fin markings* Note that common blacktip sharks oDusky whaler(p16)YesSilky shark(p17)NoUpper teeth broad and triangular withgently-curving, serrated edgesNoTiger shark(p19)YesStripey pattern on body; distinctive teeth with oneedge deeply notched and the other strongly curved1st dorsal fin origin well forward of thefree rear tips of the pectoral finsNoHeight of the 1st dorsal fingreater than half the lengthbetween the 1st dorsal finorigin and the tip of the snoutOceanic whitetipshark(p18)YesWhite tips on 1st dorsaland pectoral finsAnal fin looks like it has been dippedin black paint; and teeth are quitesmall for the size of the sharkYesDistinct black tips on most fins *NoINTERDORSAL RIDGEKEY 1: Whaler sharks and other sharks of similar appearance to whalers – upper precaudal pit presentKEY 1
YesNoHarrisson's dogfish(p37)YesSouthern dogfish(p36)NoBlueshark(p22)YesYesBull shark(p24)YesBronze whaler(p25)NoYesNoGrey nurse Sandtigersharkshark(p28)(p29)Yes1st and 2nd dorsal finsthe same size andbrown spots on bodyLemon shark(p27)NoUpper teeth with one edgecoarsely-serrated (comb-like)and the other edge smoothNo2nd dorsal fin origin closer to pelvicfin free rear tips than to anal fin originWeasel shark(p26)YesUpper teeth broad andtriangular with quitestraight, serrated edgesNo1st dorsal finorigin wellbehind the freerear tips of thepectoral finsNoHeight of the 2nddorsal fin at leasthalf that of the1st dorsal finYesSliteyeshark(p23)NoLength of pectoralfins greater thantwice the height ofthe 1st dorsal finWhite-taileddogfishes(p35)NoTail with smudgy dark patchon it and its trailing edgeSmall white/pale spot in the middle of theupper surface of the headYesHeight of the 2nddorsal fin more thantwo-thirds the heightof the1st dorsal finYesNotched trailing edgeof upper lobe of thetail rather thansmoothly curvedYesSpines extending from 1st and 2nd dorsal fin originsKEY 1 continued9
10YesYesNoSchool shark(p41)Pencil shark(p40)YesSix gill slitsNoBluntnose sixgillshark(p30)YesBigeye sixgillshark(p31)NoDistance from the free rear tip of theanal fin to the lower tail-lobe originequal to the distance from the free reartip of the pelvic fin to the anal fin originGummy shark(p39)YesHeight of the 2nd dorsal fin at leasthalf the height of the 1st dorsal finNoSmall white spots allover upper bodyNoMore than five gill slitsand only one dorsal finNoSharpnose sevengillshark(p33)YesBroadnoseshark(p32)Upper body peppered with dark and/orwhite spots and small blotchesYesSeven gill slitsKEY 2: Sharks of similar appearance to whaler sharks – no precaudal pitKEY 2
YesYesGreat white shark(p42)YesTeeth large and broadlytriangular with straight,serrated edgesNoExtremely longupper tail lobeNoHammer-like head(i.e. not pointed)NoPorbeagle(p43)YesNoShortfin mako(p44)YesLongfin mako(p45)NoLength of pectoral fin less than the distance betweenthe pectoral fin origin and the tip of the snoutPelagic thresher(p47)Thresher shark(p46)Bigeye thresher(p48)Small secondary keel below thecaudal peduncle keel; cuspletseither side of dagger-like teethNoSmooth hammerhead(p51)NoSkin immediately above the base of thepectoral fin pale or white in colourScalloped hammerhead(p50)YesIndentation (or notch) at centre of leading edge of the headYesNoNoYesDeep groove from behindeyes to above gillsGreat hammerhead(p49)YesHeight of 2nd dorsal fin equal toor greater than height of anal finKEY 3: Mackerel (great white and mako), hammerhead and thresher sharksKEY 311
12NoYesNoCrestedhornshark(p61)YesPort Jacksonshark(p60)Dark, horizontal, harness-likestripes along sides of bodyYesSpines extendingfrom 1st and 2nddorsal fin originsNoNumerous tasselsand small skinlobes extrudingfrom upper lipNoDraughtboard shark(p57)YesNumerous distinct smalldark dots throughoutupper body patterningNoFlattened head, pectoral finsand pelvic fins overlapSpotted wobbegong(p56)YesBody patterning includesclearly defined white ringsNoYesOrnate wobbegong(p55)Banded wobbegong(p54)Australian angelshark(p53)NoSaddled swellshark(p58)YesWhitefin swellshark(p59)NoMore than four dark bands (of varying widths) on upperbody (including the tail) behind the 1st dorsal finEastern angelshark(p52)YesSmall thorns on skin between the eyesNoYesTwo warty lumps immediately above (behind) each eyeWobbegongssome otherpatternedbottom-dwellingsharksKEY 4:andWobbegongsand someother patternedbottom-dwellingsharksKEY 4
NoNoGreen sawfish(p64)NoCommon sawshark(p63)Southern sawshark(p62)YesEastern shovelnose ray(p68)YesShark ray(p65)Eastern fiddler ray(p66)YesGiant shovelnose ray(p69)NoOnly 2-3 small thorns in front of each eye; andonly 1-2 small thorns next to each spiracleYesNoWhite-spotted guitarfish(p67)NoRounded (circular) snoutQuite sharply-pointed snout (less than 90 degrees)No1st dorsal fin almost directlyabove pelvic fins; and adistinct lower tail lobeYesBase of soft barbels closer to the eyes than tothe tip of the snoutYesGill-slits on theside of the headinstead of on theunderside; andtwo soft barbelson the snoutYesSaw-toothed snoutSawsharks andlong-snoutedand raysKEYother5: Sawsharksand othersharkslong-snoutedsharks and raysKEY 513
NSW DPI code:SHK-01Sandbar shark(Carcharhinus plumbeus)231interdorsal ridgepresentprecaudal ing features 1 2 3Interdorsal ridge present1st dorsal fin origin well forward of the free rear tips of the pectoral finsDistinctively tall 1st dorsal fin relative to body sizeRelatively rounded snout compared with the bignose sharkUpper teeth broadly triangular; edges serrated and only very slightlycurvedColouration Pale-bronze to greyish-brown upper body; pale underside Fins usually have no distinctive markingsSize & Distribution Born 55-75 cm; max 240 cm Usually demersal in NSW coastal and shelf waters south to at leastPort Macquarie; and to about 280 m depth14
NSW DPI code:SHK-02Bignose shark(Carcharhinus altimus)312interdorsal ridgepresentprecaudal pitpresentDistinguishing features Conspicuous interdorsal ridge present1st dorsal fin origin well forward of the free rear tips of the pectoral fins2 1st dorsal fin nowhere near as tall as that of the sandbar shark Slightly longer and more blunt snout compared with the sandbar shark3 Upper teeth broadly triangular; edges serrated and more or less straight1 Colouration Bronze to light-grey upper body; very pale underside Upper fins can have quite dark, dusky tips (mostly in juveniles)Size & Distribution Born 60-75 cm; max 300 cm Uncommonly reported from northern NSW waters Usually demersal in outer shelf and slope waters at depths of between80 and 430 m15
NSW DPI code:SHK-03Dusky whaler(Carcharhinus obscurus)interdorsal ridgepresent21precaudal ing features Low interdorsal ridge present 1 1st dorsal fin origin directly above or just behind the free rear tips ofthe pectoral fins 2 Upper teeth broadly triangular; edges serrated and gently curved (i.e.no angular notch) Relatively short, rounded snout and thick (stout) body compared withthe similar silky sharkColouration Bronzy-grey to dark-grey upper body; pale underside Fins with indistinct dusky tips, more distinct in juvenilesSize & Distribution Born 70-100 cm; max. 365 cm Usually demersal throughout NSW coastal and shelf waters to around400 m depth16
NSW DPI code:SHK-04Silky shark(Carcharhinus falciformis)precaudal pitpresentinterdorsal ridgepresent2133Distinguishing features Interdorsal ridge present1st dorsal fin origin well behind the free rear tips of the pectoral fins2 Upper teeth broadly triangular; edges serrated with an angular notchhalfway down one edge3 Distinctively long free rear tips and inner margins on 2nd dorsal andanal fins Moderately long, narrowly-rounded snout and slender body comparedwith the similar dusky whaler1 Colouration Uniform dark-brown to dark-grey upper body; very pale underside 1st dorsal fin plain; other fins sometimes with dusky tipsSize & Distribution Born 70-85 cm; max. 330 cm Pelagic coastal, shelf and oceanic waters off NSW south to at least Sydney Usually near surface; most abundant near the edge of the continentalshelf17
Oceanic whitetip shark(Carcharhinus longimanus)1NSW DPI code:SHK-05interdorsal ridgepresentprecaudal hing features Interdorsal ridge present 1 1st dorsal, pectoral, pelvic and tail fins with white tips in specimens 130 cm long Huge, rounded 1st dorsal fin and very long, wide pectoral fins Quite stocky body with short, rounded snout Upper teeth broadly triangular; edges serratedColouration Bronzy-grey upper body; very pale underside - sometimes with ayellow tinge Most fins of specimens 130 cm long have dark tips that eventuallychange to whiteSize & Distribution Born 60-65 cm; max. 300 cm Pelagic oceanic species which sometimes comes close to shore in NSWwaters18
NSW DPI code:SHK-06Tiger shark(Galeocerdo cuvier)interdorsal ridgepresent2precaudal pitpresent1Distinguishing features Distinct interdorsal ridge 1 Dark vertical bars on body of sharks up to 300 cm long, but bars faintor missing in larger adults 2 Teeth in both jaws broad and coarsely serrated, with one edge deeplynotched and the other convex Quite slender body with a relatively large head and blunt, almostsquare-shaped snoutColouration Upper body grey, with vertical bars in sharks 300 cm long; whiteunderside Bars faint or missing in larger adultsSize & Distribution Born 51-76 cm; max. 600 cm Pelagic and demersal; throughout NSW coastal waters to at least 150 mdepth19
NSW DPI code:SHK-07Common blacktip shark(Carcharhinus limbatus)no interdorsal ridge112precaudal shing features No interdorsal ridgeMost fins usually have black or dusky tips*, but anal fin does not have adistinctive ‘paint-dipped’ black tip (it is slightly dusky or pale-coloured)2 Upper teeth serrated; relatively long, slender and erect (dagger-like)compared with those of the similar spinner shark 1st dorsal fin origin slightly forward of the free rear tips of the pectoral fins1 * Note: larger adults may lack black tip – if so, carefully inspect teethColouration Bronze to grey upper body; pale underside Most fins usually have black or dark dusky tips (some adults may lackdistinctive fin markings)Size & Distribution Born 40-70 cm; max. 250 cm Pelagic and demersal in NSW coastal and shelf waters south to at leastSydney20
NSW DPI code:SHK-08Spinner shark(Carcharhinus brevipinna)no interdorsal ridgeprecaudal pitpresent11321Distinguishing features No interdorsal ridgeMost fins have black or dusky tips2 Anal fin almost always has distinctive black tip that looks like it hasbeen dipped in black paint (i.e. not just a dusky colouration)3 Upper teeth slender and finely serrated; very small (even in largesharks) compared with the long, pointed teeth of the similar-lookingcommon blacktip shark 1st dorsal fin origin in line with or slightly behind free rear tips of thepectoral fins1 Colouration Bronze to grey upper body; pale underside Fins plain at birth (60-80 cm long) but black tips will have developed onmost fins (except pelvic fins) by 130 cm longSize & Distribution Born 60-80 cm; max. 280 cm Usually demersal to at least 75 m depth in NSW coastal and shelfwaters south to at least Jervis Bay21
NSW DPI code:SHK-09Blue shark(Prionace glauca)no interdorsal ridge211precaudal hing features 1 2 3No interdorsal ridgeNo conspicuous fin markingsNo spines on dorsal fins2nd dorsal fin less than half the height of the 1st dorsal fin1st dorsal fin origin well behind the free rear tips of the pectoral finsVery long pectoral fins that are more than twice the length of the 1stdorsal fin Slender body with long snout Caudal peduncle with weak lateral keels Teeth with curved edges, not heavily indentedColouration Bright blue (indigo blue) upper body that fades to grey quite quicklyafter death; white undersideSize & Distribution Born 35-50 cm; max. 380 cm Pelagic – usually near surface; shelf and oceanic waters throughout NSW Most abundant near the edge of the continental shelf, but found closerinshore where the continental shelf is narrow22
NSW DPI code:SHK-10Sliteye shark(Loxodon macrorhinus)no interdorsal ridge2precaudal pitpresent113Distinguishing features 1 2 3No interdorsal ridgeNo conspicuous fin markingsNo spines on dorsal fins2nd dorsal fin less than half the height of the 1st dorsal fin1st dorsal fin origin well behind the free rear tips of the pectoral finsPectoral fins the same length as, or only slightly larger than the heightof the 1st dorsal fin Small, slender shark with relatively large eyes for its size Small, smooth-edged teeth with one edge heavily indented 2nd dorsal fin origin behind anal fin attachmentColouration Bronze to greyish upper body; pale underside Trailing edge of pectoral fins pale 1st dorsal and tail fins sometimes dark-edgedSize & Distribution Born 40-45 cm; max. 90 cm Demersal; possibly in far northern NSW coastal and shelf waters to atleast 100 m depth23
NSW DPI code:SHK-11Bull shark(Carcharhinus leucas)no interdorsal ridge21precaudal ing features 1 2No interdorsal ridgeNo distinctive fin markings in adultsNo spines on dorsal fins1st dorsal fin origin forward of the free rear tips of the pectoral finsUpper teeth broadly triangular and heavily serrated with more or lessstraight edges Stout-bodied with a blunt snout compared with the bronze whaler Relatively large 2nd dorsal fin (usually about a third of the heightof the 1st dorsal fin) compared with the bronze whalerColouration Grey upper body; pale underside Fins of adults with no distinctive markings, but juveniles often withdusky-black fin tipsSize & Distribution Born 55-80 cm; max. 340 cm Usually demersal in NSW coastal and shelf waters (to at least 150 mdepth), estuaries and rivers south to at least Wollongong24
NSW DPI code:SHK-12Bronze whaler(Carcharhinus brachyurus)no interdorsal ridge21precaudal pitpresentDistinguishing features 1 Usually (i.e. almost always) no interdorsal ridgeNo distinctive fin markingsNo spines on dorsal fins1st dorsal fin origin usually in line with or slightly forward of the freerear tips of the pectoral fins2 Upper teeth broad-based but narrowly triangular, distinctively curved(hook-shaped) and finely serrated Relatively long, rounded snout compared with the bull shark Relatively small 2nd dorsal fin (usually less than a quarter of the heightof the 1st dorsal fin) compared with the bull sharkColouration Bronze to greyish upper body; creamy white underside Fins lack distinctive markings although margins and tips can be duskySize & Distribution Born 60-70 cm; max. 300 cm Pelagic and demersal; throughout NSW coastal waters to at least 100 mdepth25
Weasel shark(Hemigaleus australiensis, previously known as H. microstoma)NSW DPI code:SHK-13no interdorsal ridge3precaudal uishing features 1 2 No interdorsal ridgeNo conspicuous fin markings although tips might be duskyNo spines on dorsal fins2nd dorsal fin at least half the height of the 1st dorsal fin2nd dorsal fin origin much closer to the anal fin origin than to the freerear tips of the pelvic fins3 Upper teeth with one edge coarsely-serrated (comb-like) and the otheredge smooth4 Notch at back corner of each almond-shaped eye, and spiracles presentColouration Greyish to bronze upper body; pale underside 2nd dorsal and upper tail fin tips usually dusky in smaller individualsbut fading in larger onesSize & Distribution Born 30 cm; max. 110 cm Usually demersal; possibly in far northern NSW coastal and shelfwaters to 170 m depth26
NSW DPI code:SHK-14Lemon shark(Negaprion acutidens)no interdorsal ridge3precaudal pitpresent1124Distinguishing features 1 2 No interdorsal ridgeNo conspicuous fin markingsNo spines on dorsal fins2nd dorsal fin at least half the height of the 1st dorsal fin2nd dorsal fin origin closer to the anal fin origin than to the freerear tips of the pelvic fins3 Upper and lower teeth narrowly triangular and smooth-edged(dagger-like); no cusplets Stocky and robust body with broad, blunt snout4 Eye rounded in shape – no notch immediately behind eyeColouration Pale-yellow to light-brown or grey upper body; whitish underside No conspicuous fin markingsSize & Distribution Born 50-70 cm; max. 300 cm Usually demersal; possibly in far northern NSW coastal and estuarinewaters to 30 m depth27
NSW DPI code:PROTECTEDSHK-Grey nurse shark(Carcharias taurus)no interdorsal ridgeprecaudal uishing features 1 2 No interdorsal ridge No conspicuous fin markingsNo spines on dorsal fins1st and 2nd dorsal fins almost the same size2nd dorsal fin origin closer to the free rear tips of the pelvic fins than tothe anal fin origin3 Usually with brown spots on sides of the body (flanks) Anal fin similar in size to both dorsal fins Teeth long, thin, non-serrated (i.e. stiletto-shaped) and protrudingfrom mouth; single cusplets either side of main cuspColouration Grey to bronze upper body; pale to white underside Dark spots of varying size on the flanks (and sometimes fins) are moredistinct in juvenilesSize & Distribution Born 100 cm; max. 350 cm Demersal in coastal and possibly deeper shelf waters throughout NSW Known to occur inshore in small groups in deep gutters (15-40 m)around rocky outcrops, bomboras and reefs28
DPI code:PROTECTEDSandtiger shark (Herbst’s nurse shark) NSWSHK(Odontaspis ferox)no interdorsal ridgeprecaudal pitpresent1123Distinguishing features No interdorsal ridge No conspicuous fin markings No spines on dorsal fins1 2nd dorsal fin approximately three-quarters the height of the 1stdorsal fin2 2nd dorsal fin origin closer to the free rear tips of the pelvic fins than tothe anal fin origin3 Rarely with brown spots on body Anal fin similar size to 2nd dorsal fin, but smaller than 1st dorsal fin Teeth thin and pointy; twin or triplet cusplets either side of main cuspColouration Medium to dark grey upper body; pale to white underside Juveniles may have slightly dusky margins and tips on both dorsal finsand the tail Sometimes with darker spots scattered on the flanksSize & Distribution Born 100 cm; max. 450 cm Demersal; usually in outer shelf and slope waters to 450 m depththroughout NSW; sometimes found closer to the coast29
NSW DPI code:SHK-15Bluntnose sixgill shark(Hexanchus griseus)no precaudal g features1 2 3 4 Six gill slitsOne dorsal fin onlyDistance between end tip of the anal fin and the lower tail-lobe originvery similar to the distance between end tip of the pelvic fin and theanal fin originPale streak present along lateral lineBody bulky with short, wide, blunt snoutSingle dorsal fin well back on the bodyColouration Light or dark grey to dark brown upper body; greyish-white underside Pale streak usually present along lateral line Fins with thin white trailing edgesSize & Distribution Born 65 cm; max. 480 cm Demersal in shelf and upper slope waters to 2000 m depth – possiblyalong entire NSW shelf from north to south30
NSW DPI code:SHK-16Bigeye sixgill shark(Hexanchus nakamurai)no precaudal pit2313Distinguishing features1 2 3 Six gill slitsOne dorsal fin onlyDistance between end tip of the anal fin and the lower tail-lobe originmore than twice the distance between the end tip of the pelvic fin andthe anal fin originNo pale streak along lateral lineBody bulky with short, slender, blunt snoutSingle dorsal fin well back on the bodyColouration Brownish-grey upper body; pale underside Fins with white trailing edgesSize & Distribution Born 40-45 cm; max. 180 cm Demersal in shelf and upper slope waters of northern NSW south to atleast Coffs Harbour Found at depths of between 100 and 700 m31
NSW DPI code:SHK-17Broadnose shark(Notorynchus cepedianus)no precaudal pit32Distinguishingfeaeaturtureses1Distinguishing features1 2 3 Seven gill slitsOne dorsal fin onlyUpper body peppered with black and/or white spotsDistance between end tip of the anal fin and the lower tail-lobe originvery similar to the distance between end tip of the pelvic fin and theanal fin originBody bulky with short, wide, blunt snoutColouration Silvery-grey to brownish upper body; white underside Upper body and fins sprinkled with black and white spots and smallblotchesSize & Distribution Born 40-45 cm; max. 300 cm Demersal in coastal and shelf waters of southern NSW north to at leastSydney, and at depths of at least 150 m32
Sharpnose sevengill shark(Heptranchias perlo)NSW DPI code:SHK-18no precaudal pit321Distinguishing features1 2 3 Seven gill slitsOne dorsal fin onlyNo spots or peppering on upper bodyDistance between end tip of the anal fin and the lower tail-lobe originmore than twice the distance between the end tip of the pelvic fin andthe anal fin originBody slender with narrow, pointed h
a whaler with black tips on its fins is not necessarily a ‘common blacktip shark’. The known distribution of a species is just that – the known geographical distribution – and : not a definitive boundary. Not enough is known about the distribution of sharks and rays in NSW waters t
Table 3: Sharks and rays occurrences in the windward and leeward Dutch Caribbean (Based on van Beek et al., 2014; Davies & Piontek, 2017) Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary - Content Family: Dogfish sharks - Squalidae Family: Kitefin sharks - Dalatiidae Family: Squaliform sharks - Centrophoridae Family: Lantern sharks - Etmopteridae
national waters in accordance with the Regional Plan of Action on Sharks (PI RPOA-Sharks). The NPOA-Sharks also fulfills management measures adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and the broader objectives of the International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IOPA-Sharks).
The image of sharks is particularly negative in Western culture. For many of us they symbolise predatory behaviour, greed, gluttony, danger, and deceit, inspiring negative metaphors such as: swimming with the sharks, loan shark, shark lawyer, and feeding frenzy. 'Popular' Western attitudes towards sharks and rays are
Sherwood Scientific Near infrared 3000 - 780 Visible rays 780 - 380 Near ultra violet rays(UV) 380 - 200 Far ultra violet rays 200 - 50 X-rays 50 - 10-1 (Gamma) X-rays 10-1 – 10-3 Cosmic rays 10-3 and less Most of us are more familiar with the vis
of tiger sharks captured near high-use ocean recreation sites around Maui and Oahu, and compared shark spatial behavior in Maui and Oahu waters with behavior observed elsewhere in Hawaii. Between October 2013 and December 2014, we captured and electronically-tagged 26 tiger sharks at sites around Maui, and an additional 15 tiger sharks around Oahu.
As top predators, sharks play a vital role in marine environments by regulating ecosystem structure and function. Sharks are long-lived animals that are slow to mature and have few offspring. For example, white sharks (commonly known as great whites) can live up to 70 years and females do not start producing offspring until around age 15.
Tiger Sharks will taste anything that crosses their path and looks like food. On average they grow to be around 10 feet, but have been found up to 20 feet long. Tiger Sharks tend to stay close to the Equator, but are also found in some temperate seas. Tiger Sharks are also solitary animals who generally only get together to mate. 2.
Habitat - The sand tiger shark likes warm seas and is commonly found near the coastlines or surf zones. It likes to swim in coral or rocky reefs, so it is often seen in shallow waters, but it does venture down to almost 200 m (656 ft). The sand tiger sharks in SHARKS are from Sodwana Bay, South Africa.
