Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

Protected Status

ESA Endangered

Eastern Pacific DPS

ESA Endangered - Foreign

Eastern Atlantic DPS

ESA Threatened

Central & Southwest Atlantic DPS

ESA Threatened

Indo-West Pacific DPS

CITES Appendix II

Throughout Its Range

Quick Facts

Weight

Up to 335 pounds

Lifespan

15 to 30 years

Length

5 to 11 feet

Threats

Overfishing, Bycatch

Region

Pacific Islands, Southeast, West Coast, Foreign

See Regulatory Actions

Scalloped hammerhead shark swimming close to a reef.

About The Species

Scalloped hammerhead sharks are moderately large sharks with a global distribution. The most distinguishing characteristic of this shark is it's "hammer-shaped" head. They are threatened by commercial fishing, mainly for the shark fin trade. Two distinct population segments of the scalloped hammerhead shark are listed as endangered and two are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

NOAA Fisheries is committed to conserving and protecting scalloped hammerhead sharks. Our scientists and partners use a variety of innovative techniques to study and protect this species.

Protected Status

ESA Endangered

1 distinct population segment

Eastern Pacific DPS

ESA Endangered - Foreign

1 distinct population segment

Eastern Atlantic DPS

ESA Threatened

1 distinct population segment

Central & Southwest Atlantic DPS

ESA Threatened

1 distinct population segment

Indo-West Pacific DPS

CITES Appendix II

Throughout Its Range

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Chondrichthyes
Order	Carcharhiniformes
Family	Sphyrnidae
Genus	Sphyrna
Species	lewini

In the Spotlight

Management Overview

Two distinct population segments of the scalloped hammerhead shark are listed as endangered and two are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Regulatory History

On August 14, 2011, NOAA Fisheries received a petition from WildEarth Guardians and Friends of Animals to list the scalloped hammerhead shark as threatened or endangered under the ESA throughout its entire range, or as an alternative, to delineate the species into distinct population segments. On November 28, 2011, we published a notice that listing may be warranted. We published the proposed rule to list under the ESA and status review of the species in April 2013. In July 2014, we listed four distinct population segments under the ESA.

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents Incidental Take

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark 5-Year Review

In 2019, NMFS announced its intent to conduct a 5-year review for the four distinct population segments (DPSs) of the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini): Eastern Atlantic DPS, Eastern Pacific DPS, Central & Southwest Atlantic DPS, and Indo…

Notice of Initiation of 5-year review; request for information (84 FR 46938, Se…

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark 5-Year Review (2020)

Notice

Pacific Islands

Southeast

West Coast

Foreign

Published

May 14, 2020

Listing of the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Under the ESA

In response to a petition submitted by WildEarth Guardians and Friends of Animals, we, NOAA Fisheries, are issuing a final determination to list the Central and Southwest (SW) Atlantic Distinct Population Segment (DPS) and the Indo-West Pacific DPS of…

Final Rule

Effective

September 2, 2014

Determination on the Designation of Critical Habitat for Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

We, NOAA Fisheries, find that there are no marine areas within the jurisdiction of the United States that meet the definition of critical habitat for the Central and Southwest (Central & SW) Atlantic Distinction Population Segment (DPS), Indo-West…

Notice (80 FR 71774, November 17, 2015)

Notice

Published

November 17, 2015

Science Overview

Documents

Document