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Tope Shark

Tope Shark

Galeorhinus galeus

Also Known As
School Shark, Soupfin Shark, Snapper Shark

Protected Status

ESA Candidate
Throughout Its Range

Quick Facts

Region
West Coast

About the Species

The tope shark is a highly migratory shark with a range that includes most oceans, specifically the Northeast, Eastern Central, Southwest and Southeast Atlantic Ocean; the Southwest, Southeast, Western Central, Eastern Central, and Northeast Pacific Ocean; the Mediterranean Sea, and the Eastern Indian Ocean. 

Protected Status

ESA Candidate

  • Throughout Its Range

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Chondrichthyes
Order Carcharhiniformes
Family Triakidae
Genus Galeorhinus
Species galeus

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/18/2023

In the Spotlight

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/18/2023

Management Overview

NOAA Fisheries initiated a status review of this species in April 2022 in response to a petition. This status review will be used to determine whether listing the tope shark as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act is warranted. During this time, the tope shark is considered a candidate species under the ESA.

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents

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

We, NOAA Fisheries, announce a 90-day finding on a petition under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to list the tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) as a threatened or endangered species and to designate critical habitat concurrent with the listing. We find…
Notice
,
West Coast
Published

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/18/2023

Science Overview

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/18/2023