Dusky Shark (Carcharhinus obscurus)

Dusky Shark: Photo credit NOAA

 

Key Information

The Dusky shark was identified as a Candidate Species on July 14, 1997 (62 FR 37560) and transferred to the Species of Concern List on April 15, 2004 (69 FR 19975).

Brief Species Description

The dusky shark is also known as the bronze whaler or black whaler.  It is a large, fairly slender shark with a low ridge along the back between the dorsal fins.  The rounded snout is shorter than or equal to the width of the mouth.  The first dorsal fin originates over or near the free rear tips of the pectoral fins.  The dorsal side of the shark is bronzy- to blue-gray and white on the ventral side.  For more information, please see the species fact sheet below.

Status Review / Research Underway

In May 2006, NMFS completed and stock assessment of the dusky shark in the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

Area of Concern

The Western Atlantic: Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic

Dusky Shark SOC Range Map

Recent Publications / Supplemental Information

• Shifting Baselines and Decline of Pelagic Sharks in the Gulf of Mexico (J.K. Baum and Ransom 2004).

• Validated age and growth of dusky shark, Carcharhinus obscures, from Western Australian waters (Simpendorfer et. al. 2002).

 

Species Fact Sheet

• Detailed

• Highlighted

Conservation Designations

• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): Near threatened

• American Fisheries Society (AFS): Vulnerable