FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes Western

Carcharhinidae 1341
Carcharhinus longimanus (Poey, 1861)
Frequent synonyms / misidentifications: Carcharhinus maou (Lesson, 1830) / None.
FAO names: En - Oceanic whitetip shark; Fr - Requin océanique (= Réquiem océanique, Area 31);
Sp - Tiburón oceánico.
Diagnostic characters: A large, moderately stout shark.
Snout short and broadly rounded, its length equal to,
or somewhat less than, mouth width, and greater than
distance between nostrils; labial furrows very short;
anterior nasal flaps very low, rudimentary; spiracles
absent; teeth with serrated edges, those in upper jaw
triangular with broad, heavy, mostly erect, cusps
nearly symmetrical anteriorly, but becoming increasingly
oblique at sides; teeth in lower jaw with erect, heavy
cusps and serrated edges. First dorsal fin noticeably
ventral view
of head
upper and lower
tooth near centre
large, with a very broadly rounded apex, its origin slightly behind insertion of pectoral fins; second dorsal
fin high, its inner margin less than twice the fin height, its origin over, or slightly in front of that of anal fin;
pectoral fins very long (as long as, or even longer than, head) with broadly rounded, wide tips; rear tip
of anal fin extending nearly to origin of caudal fin. An interdorsal ridge present. Colour: back usually
dark grey with a bronze tinge, but sometimes brown or bluish; belly whitish, sometimes with a yellow tinge;
tips of first dorsal fin, pectoral fins and lower lobe of caudal fin often white or with white spots
(sometimes absent); ventral surface of pelvic fins, apices of anal and second dorsal fins, and ventral lobe
of caudal fin often with black spots; also black or dusky saddle-marks in front of second dorsal fin, upper
margin of caudal fin and between dorsal fins (especially in young).
Size: Maximum total length about 3.5 m; commonly to 2.7 m or less; size at birth 60 to 65 cm.
Habitat, biology, and fisheries: Along with the silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis), this is one of the most
abundant sharks in warm oceanic waters. It occasionally enters coastal waters, but is more typically found from
the edges of continental or insular shelves to far beyond land. This is a slow-swimming species while cruising,
but it can be fast in pursuit of prey. Viviparous, number of embryos ranging from 6 to 9. Feeds mainly on fishes
(especially scombrids and carangids) and squids; also crustaceans (especially portunid crabs), turtles, and
carrion. This species causes much damage to the catch in tuna fisheries, and formerly also to dead whales that
were inflated and buoyed after harpooning by the whaling ships. Reported to be dangerous to humans, and
prone to investigate divers and
swimmers that venture into its
offshore habitat. Caught with
floating longlines, also drifting
gillnets and handlines. Utilized
fresh for human consumption,
also processed for liver oil; fins
probably used for the oriental
sharkfin trade.
Distribution: Widespread in
all tropical and subtropical
waters.