Night Shark (Carcharhinus signatus)
Night Shark: Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Key Information
The Night 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 Description
The night shark is a deep water species found at 900 to 1200 feet (275 - 365 m) during the day that migrates up in the water column at night to depths around 610 feet (185 m). They are found throughout the Atlantic and are a species of concern in the Western Atlantic (Figure 1). They are characterized by a rather stout streamlined body with large eyes and an elongated snout. Their dorsal fins are both low, with the origin of the anterior fin over or slightly behind the free rear tips of the pectoral fins. The second dorsal is very low and much smaller than the first with an origin opposite the anal fin. Eyes of living sharks are green in color. Body color is gray-blue and grayish brown above, with a white to grayish white underbelly; sometimes with black spots. Maximum size is 9.2 feet (280 cm) TL and maximum weight is 169 pounds (76.7 kg). They live up to 17 years. Sexual maturity of a female is at 6.7 feet (200 cm) TL; males are mature at about 6.2 feet (190 cm) TL. Little is known about the reproductive biology of this species: breeding is believed to occur in the summer, and they are viviparous (placental live birth). Litter size ranges from 12-18 pups of 4 to 24 inches (10-60 cm) TL. Night sharks forage primarily on squids, small fishes, and shrimp.
Status Review
Carlson, J.K. and E. Cortes. 2008. The Status of the United States Population of Night Shark, Carcharhinus signatus. In press: Marine Fisheries Review.
- the National Marine Fisheries Service' Southeast Regional Office is currently reviewing the night shark SOC listed status. For more information please contact regional coordinator.
Area of Concern
Western Atlantic - Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean
Species Fact Sheet
Supplementary Information
Florida Museum of Natural History: National Shark Research Consortium
Night Shark Information: NMFS/RI Sea Grant "Guide to Sharks, Tunas, & Billfishes of the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
Species Profile: FishBase.org
Conservation Actions
Night Shark Listed as a Prohibited Species
International Union for the Conservation of Nature: Vulnerable
American Fisheries Society: Vulnerable
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