232 Mackerel Shark 



Distribution: Cape Verdes, Canaries, tropical West Africa 

 and the Mediterranean. In the western Atlantic from the 

 Gulf of Maine to southern Brazil. 



Size: May reach about 10 feet in length and weigh more 

 than 250 pounds. A fish almost 9 feet long weighed about 

 250 pounds. 



General Information: Very common. The most abundant 

 shark on the coast from Cape Cod to Delaware Bay. A 

 sluggish shark living near the bottom close to shore. Often 

 found in less than 6 feet of water off beaches. Feeds mainly 

 on small fish, crabs, and squid. Matures when over 7 feet 

 long. Most sand sharks caught are between 4 and 6 feet 

 and are immature. 



Economic Importance: Not important in the commercial 

 fisheries. Frequently taken by the sport fisherman while 

 surf casting. 



Mackerel Shark, Porbeagle 

 Lamna nasus (Boimaterre) 



Color: Dark blue-gray above, becoming white on lower 

 sides and undersurface. 



Distribution: From the Murman coast and Norway south 

 to the Mediterranean and northwestern Africa. In the west- 

 ern Atlantic from the Newfoundland Banks to South 

 Carolina. Most common north of Cape Cod. Appears as a 

 stray from New York south. 



Size: Reported to reach almost 13 feet in length. Most 

 comm.on size, 4-5 feet. 



General Information: An active species ranging from the 

 bottom to the surface of the water. It has been taken in 



