The Cooperative Shark Tagging Program is a collaborative effort between recreational anglers, the commercial fishing industry, and NOAA Fisheries to study the life history of Atlantic sharks. Sharks C-P
Accurate species identification is critical. To help with identifications we have provided information on size, distinguishing characteristics, distribution, and habitat for sharks in our region.
To about 18 ft (5.5 m).
Newfoundland, Canada, to Cuba, including the Gulf of Mexico. Common in the U.S. Northeast.
Coastal and offshore from surface to 1,000 ft (305 m); juveniles farther inshore.
Bigeye thresher has large eyes directed upward, deep grooves on top of head, white abdominal coloring that does not extend above pectoral fins.
Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Common thresher shark
Management of Common thresher shark
To about 12 ft (3.7 m).
Cape Cod and Georges Bank to Florida, including Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
Continental waters inshore to the outer continental shelf and adjacent oceanic waters.
Sandbar shark, and bignose shark have higher first dorsal fins originating farther forward. Sandbar shark, most difficult to distinguish, attains smaller maximum size. Bignose shark has longer snout. Silky shark has a second dorsal fin with free tip length usually more than twice fin height. Night shark has green eyes. Bull shark and spinner shark lack interdorsal ridges.
Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Dusky shark
To about 6 ft (1.8 m).
New York to Florida, including Gulf of Mexico and Cuba. Rare north of North Carolina.
Coastal; inshore shallow waters <20 ft (6 m).
Atlantic sharpnose shark has white spots on back and sides, second dorsal fin originating over or behind middle of anal fins. Blacktip shark and spinner shark have black-tipped fins. Blacknose shark has dusky blotch on tip of snout, yellow-green color.
Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Finetooth shark
To about 18.5 ft (5.6 m).
Massachusetts to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Common off Carolinas in summer. Rare north of North Carolina.
Coastal and offshore; near surface to >250 ft (76 m).
Bonnethead has a shovel-shaped head; grows to about 5 ft (1.5 m). Smooth hammerhead and scalloped hammerhead have swept-back "hammers," smaller first dorsal fins, pelvic fins with straight rear margins. Smooth hammerhead lacks central indentation in "hammer."
Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Great hammerhead shark
To about 10.5 ft (3.2 m).
New Jersey to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Uncommon north of Cape Hatteras.
Primarily coastal; common around coral keys, docks, bays, and estuaries; young frequent mangroves and grass flats.
Sand tiger has flattened snout, narrow, needle like teeth with 1-2 small cusplets, first dorsal fin set farther back behind pectoral fins. Nurse shark has nasal barbels; lacks distinct lower lobe of caudal fin.
Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Lemon shark
To about 14 ft (4.3 m).
Georges Bank to Gulf of Mexico. Generally rare throughout its range.
Offshore; deep dwelling.
Shortfin mako has smaller eyes, white area around mouth and underside of snout except in large individuals (800-1,000 lb (363-454 kg)), pectoral fins shorter than head length. Blue shark lacks lunate caudal fin, caudal keels, sharply pointed snout. White shark has triangular teeth with serrated edges, blunter snout. Porbeagle has shorter pectoral fins, small secondary keels on caudal fin, teeth with lateral cusplets.
Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Longfin mako shark
To about 9 ft (2.7 m).
Delaware to Florida, including the Straits of Florida, Cuba, and Gulf of Mexico.
Offshore on or along outer continental and insular shelves; in waters 164-328 ft (50-100 m) or deeper (to 1,968 ft (600 m)).
Silky shark and dusky shark lack green eyes. Silky shark has more rounded, swept-back first dorsal fin. Spinner shark lacks interdorsal ridge.
Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Night shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum
To about 9 ft (2.7 m).
Rhode Island to Brazil, including Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Rare north of Cape Hatteras.
Coastal; bottom dwelling; often in or close to coral reefs; young in very shallow water; adults in progressively deeper water.
Sand tiger and lemon shark have caudal fins with distinct lower lobe; lack nasal barbels.
Apex Predator Publications and Reports – Nurse shark
Dorsal view of an oceanic whitetip shark.
To about 11.5 ft (3.5 m).
Maine to Argentina, including Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Uncommon in U.S. Atlantic EEZ.
Offshore in waters >600 ft (183 m); occasionally coastal near oceanic islands. Usually in water temperatures >72°F (22°C).
Broadly rounded, white-tipped first dorsal fin of oceanic whitetip shark distinguishes this species from other Atlantic sharks.
Apex Predator Publications and Reports - Oceanic whitetip shark
Management of Oceanic whitetip shark
Lateral view of a porbeagle shark.
To about 12 ft (3.7 m).
Newfoundland, Canada, to Massachusetts; seasonally to New Jersey. Common in the U.S. Northeast.
Continental shelf waters from surface to bottom to 1,200 ft (366 m) and <66°F (19°C); juveniles farther inshore.
White shark, shortfin mako and longfin mako lack any secondary keels on caudal fins, lateral couplets on teeth. White shark has triangular teeth with serrated edges, blunter snout.
An oceanic whitetip shark swims near the surface of the water. Photo courtesy of John Carlson.
Blacktip sharks. Credit: iStock.
Releasing a sandbar shark on a shark survey.
