Description:
The body is spindle-shaped. The snout is pointed, with small, round eyes. There are five gill slits on each side, the last one located near the base of the pectoral fin. The mouth is large and arched. Teeth are large, flat, triangular, and serrated on the edges. There are 26 teeth on the upper jaw and 24 on the lower jaw. The teeth in the middle of the jaw are larger than those towards the corners of the mouth. All teeth on both jaws have their tips pointing inwards.
There are two widely separated dorsal fins. The first dorsal fin is located posterior to the origin of the pectoral fin. The second dorsal fin is small and located just anterior to the origin of the anal fin. The anal fin is small and close to the tail. The caudal fin is broadly forked and semi-lunar in shape. The dorsal surface is dark gray, and the ventral surface is grayish-white. The dorsal fins, caudal fin, and the upper surfaces of the pectoral and pelvic fins are dark gray. The trailing edge of the caudal fin and the underside of the pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins are gray.
Biology:
This is a large species, commonly reaching 2–6 meters in length, and up to 8 meters at its largest. It is very aggressive and a swift swimmer, frequently preying on large animals. It has been known to attack humans and capsize small boats. It inhabits the upper water layers of the open ocean in temperate and subtropical regions, including both open ocean and tropical seas. It sometimes approaches the coast in search of food. It is a source of terror for divers, swimmers, and those fishing from small boats. It reproduces via internal fertilization and gives live birth.
Habitat and Ecology:
- Vietnam: Truong Sa, Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Con Dao.
- Global: Atlantic Ocean (northeast of North America from Canada to Cuba, Argentina, France, Spain, Portugal, North Africa, Mediterranean Sea, South Africa), East Pacific Ocean (Canada, United States, Mexico, Colombia to Chile, New Zealand, East and South Australia, West Pacific Ocean, Russia, North and South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hawaii).
Commercial Value:
Like many other shark species, this shark possesses valuable fins, which constitute approximately 1.5–2.0% of its body weight. It is a valuable food species that is highly sought after for export. When caught, fishermen often only harvest the fins, discarding the rest of the body. However, the meat can also be consumed fresh, salted, dried, and processed into other edible forms.
Conservation Status:
The shark population is declining due to hunting by fishermen in the open ocean off the coasts of Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, and Binh Thuan provinces.
- Threat Level: Endangered (T).
Recommended Conservation Measures:
Educating the public to raise awareness and the importance of protecting this rare shark, and encouraging immediate release if caught alive.