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  • Sandbar Shark
Fish

Sandbar Shark

Scientific Name

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Other Common Name(s)

Brown Shark, Large Finned Shark, Thickskin Shark

Body Weight

Up to 117.9 kg

Body Length

Up to around 2.4 m

Silhouette of a shark and a diver
Large shark swimming in blue water, with a smaller shark below.

Habitat

Ocean
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Diet

Fish, crustaceans, as well as cephalopods such as squid
Fish, scallop, squid, and shrimp.

Fun Facts

  • The dorsal fin of sandbar sharks is very large, but it rarely appears above the surface of the water. These sharks live near the seabed where they use their keen sense of smell to search for prey.

  • In the juvenile stage, sandbar sharks form schools of both sexes. When they reach maturity, they only group with other adults of the same sex. The males and females only meet during the mating season.

    • A light grey shark swims over a sandy seabed with rocks.
    Shark swimming in dark water with two small yellow fish.

    Distribution

    Coastal waters of tropical and temperate regions, include the waters of countries such as the United States, Spain, Myanmar and China

    Threats & Conservation

    Threats & Conservation

    Threats

    • Stylized city buildings on a roadStylized city buildings on a road

      Urbanisation & Infrastructure

    • An axe and a hexagonal grid with red dotsAn axe and a hexagonal grid with red dots

      Overexploitation of Biological Resources

    Sandbar sharks are among the main targets of shark fisheries around the world, with people taking their fins, liver and skin. They are also popular among anglers. Due to their slow growth, late sexual maturity and low reproductive rate, sandbar sharks are prone to overfishing. The populations in some parts of the Atlantic and Pacific have been overexploited. Since they live in coastal waters, their habitats can also be degraded by coastal development and pollution.

    Conservation

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    IUCN Red List

    • Endangered

    CITES

    • Appendix II

    Conservation

    • Protected under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong.

    Support Mission R to protect animals & plants!

    Saving Species & Habitats

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    Shark Mystique

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    ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMSACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMS
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    Ocean Park Corporation is a charitable institution registered with Inland Revenue Department, Hong Kong (File No: 91/2801).

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