Unsupported Browser Detected

Internet Explorer lacks support for the features of this website. For the best experience, please use a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

Smalltail Shark

Smalltail Shark

Carcharhinus porosus

Protected Status

ESA Candidate
Throughout Its Range

Quick Facts

Region
Southeast

About the Species

Smalltail sharks are relatively small sharks—reaching a maximum length of about 5 ft. They are generally found in estuaries and nearshore waters of the western Atlantic Ocean from Brazil to the northern Gulf of Mexico, though they are generally absent throughout the Caribbean Islands. They tend to associate with the bottom and are generally found over mud substrates.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Chondrichthyes
Order Carcharhiniformes
Family Carcharhinidae
Genus Carcharhinus
Species porosus

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 07/22/2024

Featured News

Graphic showing multiple shark species underwater.
Feature Story

Celebrating 30 Years of Atlantic Shark Management

New England/Mid-Atlantic
Southeast
Two blacktip sharks swimming Blacktip sharks. Credit: iStock.
Podcast

Atlantic Sharks: 30 Years of Successes and Lessons

New England/Mid-Atlantic
Southeast
Releasing a sandbar shark on a shark survey. Releasing a sandbar shark on a shark survey.
Story Map

Story Map: Atlantic Shark Surveys

New England/Mid-Atlantic
Southeast
View More News

Management Overview

NOAA Fisheries initiated a status review of this species in May 2023 in response to a petition. This status review will be used to determine whether listing the smalltail shark as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act is warranted. During this time, the smalltail shark is considered a candidate species under the ESA.

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents

Actions & Documents

90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Smalltail Shark Under the Endangered Species Act

90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Smalltail Shark Under the Endangered Species Act
Notice,
Southeast
Published

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 07/22/2024

Documents

Document

Estimates of the intrinsic rate of population growth (rmax) for smalltail shark

Cortés (2016) applies six methods to calculate intrinsic rate of population growth (rmax) for 65…

Southeast
More Documents

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 07/22/2024