Sand Tiger Shark

The sand tiger shark (or Carcharias taurus), also known as the spotted ragged-tooth shark or blue-nurse sand tiger shark, is a large species of shark that lives in the shallow coastal waters of temperate and sub-tropical oceans across the world. They have a classic selachian (‘shark-like’) body form, but are bulky in comparison to some shark species. They are pale grey-brown with brown spots and a white underside. Their snout is pointed and their mouth is generally kept open, exposing 3 rows of teeth. Like many other sharks, female sand tiger sharks are larger than males. Males measure 2m to 2.5m in length and weigh 90kg to 120kg, while females grow from 2.2m to up to 3.2m in length and weigh between 110kg to 159kg.

Sand tiger sharks are Critically Endangered, having declined by 80 to 90% over the last few decades, mostly due to human action. They are heavily overfished for their fins, considered a delicacy in China and Southeast Asia, but are also often bycatch of fisheries. As their preferred habitat is shallow coastal waters, they are often exposed to pollutants, destructive fishing techniques and habitat loss through coastal development. Additionally, their slow reproductive rate (1 to 2 pups every 2 to 3 years) makes them more vulnerable to unsustainable population losses. To mitigate these problems, many countries have introduced fishing restrictions, while some have banned catching sand tiger sharks entirely. There are ongoing discussions about putting the sand tiger shark on the ‘Convention for Migratory Species’, so that there is more international cooperation regarding its protection and its enforcement. Conservation organisations are attempting to protect important habitats, and research into their behaviour, reproduction and migration is improving targeted conservation mechanisms.