242 Sharp-nosed Shark 



mer in the southern New England and middle Atlantic area. 

 Size: Reported to reach a length of 20 feet. 

 A 9-foot blue shark weighed 164 pounds. 

 General Information: Usually found offshore but often 

 comes inshore. Feeds on small fishes, particularly herring 

 and mackerel, and is also an active scavenger. Probably 

 does not mature until over 7 feet long. From 28 to 54 

 young have been counted in gravid females. 

 Economic Importance: Of limited commercial value. A few 

 are eaten. A powerful swimmer, prone to make repeated 

 rushes when hooked, it is a desirable species for the 

 recreational fisherman. 



Sharp-nosed Shark 

 Scoliodon terrae-novae (Richardson) 



Color: Upper part of body brown to olive-gray. Lower 

 part of body white. 



Distribution: Tropical and subtropical waters on both 

 sides of the Atlantic. In the western Atlantic from the 

 Gulf of Maine to Uruguay. Most abundant in the Carib- 

 bean and Gulf of Mexico. Common summer visitor along 

 the coast of South Carolina. Rare from Chesapeake Bay 

 north. 



Size: Maximum size reported, about 3 feet. 

 General Information: Commonly found in shallow waters 

 along beaches, in bays, and in estuaries. Feeds chiefly on 

 small fish. Also eats shellfish and shrimp. Matures when 

 26-30 inches long. Newborn sharks are 11-16 inches long. 

 Economic Importance: Too rare a species from Chesapeake 

 Bay north to be of any importance. 



