identifying sharks and rays - a guide for commercial fishers€¦ · types of sharks and rays...

NSW DPI

A guide for NSW commercial fishers

Identifying sharks and rays

2

ImportantIf a shark or ray cannot be confidently identified using this guide, it is recommended that either digital images are obtained or the specimen is preserved.

Please contact NSW DPI research staff for assistance: phone 1300 550 474 or email [email protected]

Contents

Introduction 4How to use this guide 5Glossary 6-7

Key 1 Whaler sharks and other sharks of similar appearance 8-9 to whalers – upper precaudal pit present

Key 2 Sharks of similar appearance to whaler sharks – no 10 precaudal pit

Key 3 Mackerel (great white and mako), hammerhead and 11 thresher sharks Key 4 Wobbegongs and some other patterned 12 bottom-dwelling sharks

Key 5 Sawsharks and other long-snouted sharks and rays 13

3

Sandbar shark 14Bignose shark 15Dusky whaler 16Silky shark 17Oceanic whitetip shark 18Tiger shark 19Common blacktip shark 20Spinner shark 21Blue shark 22Sliteye shark 23Bull shark 24Bronze whaler 25Weasel shark 26Lemon shark 27Grey nurse shark 28Sandtiger (Herbst’s nurse) shark 29Bluntnose sixgill shark 30Bigeye sixgill shark 31 Broadnose shark 32Sharpnose sevengill shark 33Dark-tailed dogfishes 34White-tailed dogfishes 35Southern dogfish 36Harrisson’s dogfish 37Endeavour dogfish 38Gummy shark 39Pencil shark 40School shark 41

Great white shark 42Porbeagle 43Shortfin mako 44Longfin mako 45Thresher shark 46Pelagic thresher 47Bigeye thresher 48Great hammerhead 49Scalloped hammerhead 50Smooth hammerhead 51Eastern angelshark 52Australian angelshark 53Banded wobbegong 54Ornate wobbegong 55Spotted wobbegong 56Draughtboard shark 57Saddled swellshark 58Whitefin swellshark 59Port Jackson shark 60Crested hornshark 61Southern sawshark 62Common sawshark 63Green sawfish 64Shark ray 65Eastern fiddler ray 66White-spotted guitarfish 67Eastern shovelnose ray 68Giant shovelnose ray 69

Index 70 -71

4

This guide is designed to assist commercial fishers identify sharks and rays potentially

encountered in NSW waters. Sharks and rays not usually retained for commercial purposes have not been included in this guide.

Catch reporting arrangements for NSW commercial fishers require that any sharks and rays landed are correctly identified and recorded to the species or genus level using the codes provided by NSW Department of Primaries Industries (NSW DPI).

This guide contains simple, easy-to-use keys that highlight certain external distinguishing features for identification purposes. The keys are further supported by detailed species information and illustrations so that identification can be made with confidence.

If a landed shark or ray cannot be confidently identified using this guide, it is recommended that either digital images are obtained or the specimen is preserved. Please contact NSW DPI research staff for assistance. Details may be found inside the front cover.

Many shark and ray species are caught by commercial fishing operations in New South Wales (NSW) waters and refined catch information is vital for the successful management of these species.

References for this guide:

Compagno, LJV 1984. FAO Species Catalogue, Vol. 4, Sharks of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of sharks known to date. FAO FisheriesSynopsis No. 125.

Daley, RK, Stevens, JD, Last, PR and Yearsley, GK 2002. Field Guide to Australian Sharks & Rays. CSIRO Marine Research, Hobart, Australia. 84pp.

Last, PR and Stevens, JD 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. CSIRO, Melbourne, Australia. 513pp.

McAuley, R, Newbound, D and Ashworth, R 2002. Field identification guide toWestern Australian Sharks and Shark-like Rays. Department of Fisheries, Perth, Western Australia. (ISBN: 1 877098 03 5) 35pp.

NSW DPI commercial line fishing observer program, 2007-2008.

Introduction

5

To begin identification start at the blue box and work your way through the key by assessing the primary distinguishing features until you identify the species.

In the case of the whalers and similar sharks, the primary distinguishing features include: the presence or absence of obvious physical features such as an upper precaudal pit, interdorsal ridge or dorsal fin spines; the relative sizes and/or positions of the dorsal fins; and the size and shape of the upper teeth. Correct assessment of these main distinguishing features via the keys should result in correct species identification.

Subsequently, turn to the appropriate page number of that species as indicated on the key and consider some of the secondary distinguishing features (which might involve teeth, body patterning or some of the primary features mentioned above), so that initial identification can be confirmed with a higher degree of confidence.

In designing this guide, a basic level of general knowledge is assumed about the different types of sharks and rays encountered in NSW waters. Once a shark or ray has been caught and requires identification, choose the most appropriate key from the list below – refer to the glossary on page 6 for terminology. Keys can be found on pages 8-13.

Key 1 Whaler sharks and other sharks of similar appearance to whalers – upper precaudal pit presentKey 2 Sharks of similar appearance to whaler sharks – no precaudal pitKey 3 Mackerel (great white and mako), hammerhead and thresher sharks Key 4 Wobbegongs and some other patterned bottom-dwelling sharksKey 5 Sawsharks and other long-snouted sharks and rays

Tips

How to use this guide

The primary distinguishing features of each species are highlighted in orange throughout the illustrated pages of this guide.

With some obvious exceptions, colouration and known distribution should not be considered reliable primary distinguishing features – they should only be considered as secondary features. For example, most whaler sharks can vary in upper body colouration between light grey and bronze, and so a bronzy coloured shark is not necessarily a ‘bronze whaler’. Similarly, a whaler with black tips on its fins is not necessarily a ‘common blacktip shark’.

The known distribution of a species is just that – the known geographical distribution – and not a definitive boundary. Not enough is known about the distribution of sharks and rays in NSW waters to be able to use such information with absolute accuracy.

It should be noted that, in general, the most useful four features to look at in the case of most whalers and similar sharks is the presence or absence of an upper precaudal pit, interdorsal ridge, or dorsal fin spine; and the size and shape of the upper teeth. The larger teeth either side of the midpoint of the upper jaw are the teeth to inspect.

6

Glossary

anal fin single fin located on the underside behind the pelvic finsbarbel a slender sensory skin projection on the snout of some speciescaudal fin tail fincaudal peduncle the section behind the anal fin connecting the body to the tailconical cone-shapedcrest hardened ridge of skin above the eyes of some speciescusp the main visible part of the toothcusplets small secondary projections next to the main cusp of toothdenticles very small tooth-like plates that form the abrasive surface on the skin

dorsal refers to the upper surface of the sharkdorsal fins fins on upper surfacedusky graded and/or inconsistent grey to black colourationfin origin the forward-most point of attachment of a finflank side of the bodyfree rear tip (of fin) rear tip of loose flap behind the fin attachmentinner margin (of fin) edge between the fin attachment and the free rear tipinterdorsal ridge raised ridge of skin between the 1st and 2nd dorsal fins

keel solid lateral fin-like projection – associated with caudal pedunclelateral refers to the side of the sharkleading edge (of fin) forward-facing edgemargins (of fins) leading or trailing edgespectoral fins located on underside of the head in sharks / forms the disc in rayspelvic fins paired fins located behind the pectoral finsprecaudal pit notch-like indentation at the base of the caudal (tail) serrated saw-like or jagged skin lobe projection or flap of skinspiracle a respiratory opening behind the eyes of some speciessub-apical below the tiptassels thin, branched skin lobes

trailing edge (of fin) rear-facing edge

translucent allows light through but not totally transparentunderside/ventral refers to the undersurface of the sharkupper body refers to the body surfaces above the level of the pectoral fins

7

1st upper dorsal finInterdorsal ridge tail lobe2nd

fin origin dorsal fin

caudal free rear tips (tail) finanal fin pelvic fins

gill slits pectoral fins lower tail lobe

snout

upper precaudal pit

‘dusky’ tipped ‘dipped in paint’

SHAPE OF SNOUT

nostril

mouth

blunt short and long and pointedrounded rounded

Identifying parts of the shark

8

Yes

INTE

RD

OR

SA

L R

IDG

E

Dis

tinct

bla

ck ti

ps o

n m

ost f

ins

*

Whi

te ti

ps o

n 1s

t dor

sal

and

pect

oral

fins

Stri

pey

patte

rn o

n bo

dy; d

istin

ctiv

e te

eth

with

one

ed

ge d

eepl

y no

tche

d an

d th

e ot

her s

trong

ly c

urve

d

Oce

anic

whi

tetip

sh

ark

(p18

)

Yes

1st d

orsa

l fin

orig

in w

ell f

orw

ard

of th

e fre

e re

ar ti

ps o

f the

pec

tora

l fin

s

Hei

ght o

f the

1st

dor

sal f

in

grea

ter t

han

half

the

leng

th

betw

een

the

1st d

orsa

l fin

or

igin

and

the

tip o

f the

sno

ut

San

dbar

shar

k(p

14)

Yes

No

Big

nose

shar

k(p

15)

Upp

er te

eth

broa

d an

d tri

angu

lar w

ith

gent

ly-c

urvi

ng, s

erra

ted

edge

s

Yes

Spi

nner

shar

k(p

21)

No

Ana

l fin

look

s lik

e it

has

been

dip

ped

in b

lack

pai

nt; a

nd te

eth

are

quite

sm

all f

or th

e si

ze o

f the

sha

rk

Com

mon

bla

cktip

sh

ark

(p20

)

Dus

ky w

hale

r(p

16)

Yes

No

Silk

y sh

ark

(p17

)

Yes

No

No

No

No

Yes

No

Tige

r sha

rk(p

19)

Yes

Not

e th

at c

omm

on b

lack

tip s

hark

s of

si

zes

larg

er t

han

abou

t 13

0 m

lon

g m

ay la

ck fi

n m

arki

ngs

In s

uch

case

s th

e te

eth

are

the

best

di

stin

guis

hing

feat

ure

*

KEY

1: W

hale

r sha

rks a

nd o

ther

shar

ks o

f sim

ilar a

ppea

ranc

e to

wha

lers

– u

pper

pre

caud

al p

it pr

esen

t KEY 1

9

Hei

ght o

f the

2nd

do

rsal

fin

at le

ast

half

that

of t

he1s

t dor

sal f

in

No

1st d

orsa

l fin

or

igin

wel

l be

hind

the

free

re

ar ti

ps o

f the

pe

ctor

al fi

ns

Blu

e sh

ark

(p22

)

Yes

No

Slit

eye

shar

k(p

23)

Bul

l sha

rk(p

24)

Yes

No

Bro

nze

wha

ler

(p25

)

Yes

2nd

dors

al fi

n or

igin

clo

ser

to p

elvi

c fin

free

rea

r tip

s th

an to

ana

l fin

orig

in

Yes

1st a

nd 2

nd d

orsa

l fin

s th

e sa

me

size

and

br

own

spot

s on

bod

y

Gre

y nu

rse

shar

k(p

28)

Yes

No

San

dtig

er

shar

k(p

29)

No

Yes

Upp

er te

eth

with

one

edg

e co

arse

ly-s

erra

ted

(com

b-lik

e)

and

the

othe

r ed

ge s

moo

th

Wea

sel s

hark

(p26

)

Yes

No

Lem

on s

hark

(p27

)

Tail

with

sm

udgy

dar

k pa

tch

on it

and

its

trai

ling

edge

Not

ched

trai

ling

edge

of

upp

er lo

be o

f the

ta

il ra

ther

than

sm

ooth

ly c

urve

dY

es

Dar

k-ta

iled

dogf

ishe

s(p

34)

No

Whi

te-t

aile

ddo

gfis

hes

(p35

)

Yes

Hei

ght o

f the

2nd

do

rsal

fin

mor

e th

an

two-

third

s th

e he

ight

of

the1

st d

orsa

l fin

Yes

Sm

all w

hite

/pal

e sp

ot in

the

mid

dle

of th

e up

per

surf

ace

of th

e he

ad

Yes

Sou

ther

n do

gfis

h(p

36)

Spi

nes

exte

ndin

g fr

om 1

st a

nd 2

nd d

orsa

l fin

orig

ins

Yes

No

No

End

eavo

ur

dogf

ish

(p38

)

No

No

Upp

er te

eth

broa

d an

d tr

iang

ular

with

qui

te

stra

ight

, ser

rate

d ed

ges

Leng

th o

f pec

tora

l fin

s gr

eate

r th

an

twic

e th

e he

ight

of

the

1st d

orsa

l fin

No

Har

risso

n's

dogf

ish

(p37

)

KEY 1 continued

10

ecau

dal p

ite

to w

hale

r sha

rks

– no

pr

hark

s of

sim

ilar a

ppea

ranc

KEY

2: S

KEY 2

Gum

my

shar

k(p

39)

Hei

ght o

f the

2nd

dor

sal f

in a

t lea

st

half

the

heig

ht o

f the

1st

dor

sal f

in

Sch

ool s

hark

(p41

)

No

No

esY

Pen

cil s

hark

(p40

)

Sm

all w

hite

spo

ts a

ll ov

er u

pper

bod

yes

Y

Six

gill

slit

s

esY

Blu

ntno

se s

ixgi

ll sh

ark

(p30

)

Big

eye

sixg

ill

shar

k(p

31)

esY

Bro

adno

sesh

ark

(p32

)

No

Sha

rpno

se s

even

gill

shar

k(p

33)

esY

No

esY

No

Dis

tanc

e fr

om th

e fr

ee r

ear

tip o

f the

an

al fi

n to

the

low

er ta

il-lo

be o

rigin

eq

ual t

o th

e di

stan

ce fr

om th

e fr

ee r

ear

tip o

f the

pel

vic

fin to

the

anal

fin

orig

in

Mor

e th

an fi

ve g

ill s

lits

and

only

one

dor

sal f

in

esY

Upp

er b

ody

pepp

ered

with

dar

k an

d/or

w

hite

spo

ts a

nd s

mal

l blo

tche

s

No

Sev

en g

ill s

lits

11

eshe

r sha

rks

), ha

mm

erhe

ad a

nd th

re

and

mak

ot w

hit

eael

(gr

erac

kKE

Y 3:

M

KEY 3

Inde

ntat

ion

(or

notc

h) a

t cen

tre

of le

adin

g ed

ge o

f the

hea

d

serr

ated

edg

es

Teet

h la

rge

and

broa

dly

tria

ngul

ar w

ith s

trai

ght,

No

esY

esY

Gre

at w

hite

sha

rk(p

42)

Sm

all s

econ

dary

kee

l bel

ow th

e ca

udal

ped

uncl

e ke

el; c

uspl

ets

eith

er s

ide

of d

agge

r-lik

e te

eth

No

Por

beag

le(p

43)

Leng

th o

f pec

tora

l fin

less

than

the

dist

ance

bet

wee

n th

e pe

ctor

al fi

n or

igin

and

the

tip o

f the

sno

ut

No

Long

fin m

ako

(p45

)

Dee

p gr

oove

from

beh

ind

eyes

to a

bove

gill

sN

o

esY

Big

eye

thre

sher

(p48

)

Ski

n im

med

iate

ly a

bove

the

base

of t

he

pect

oral

fin

pale

or

whi

te in

col

our

Pel

agic

thre

sher

(p47

)

esY

Thr

eshe

r sh

ark

(p46

)

Hei

ght o

f 2nd

dor

sal f

in e

qual

to

or g

reat

er th

an h

eigh

t of a

nal f

inN

o

esY

Gre

at h

amm

erhe

ad(p

49)

esY

Sca

llope

d ha

mm

erhe

ad(p

50)

No

No

Sm

ooth

ham

mer

head

(p51

)

Ham

mer

-like

hea

d(i.

e. n

ot p

oint

ed)

esY

Ext

rem

ely

long

up

per

tail

lobe

esY

No

No

esY

Sho

rtfin

mak

o(p

44)

12

KEY 4

KEY

4: W

obbe

gong

s an

d so

me

othe

r pat

tern

ed b

otto

m-d

wel

ling

shar

ksW

obbe

gong

s an

d so

me

othe

r pa

ttern

ed b

otto

m-d

wel

ling

shar

ks

No

Cre

sted

ho

rnsh

ark

(p61

)

Yes

Ban

ded

wob

bego

ng(p

54)

No

Orn

ate

wob

bego

ng(p

55)

Bod

y pa

ttern

ing

incl

udes

cl

early

def

ined

whi

te r

ings

No

Yes

Spo

tted

wob

bego

ng(p

56)

Two

war

ty lu

mps

imm

edia

tely

abo

ve (

behi

nd)

each

eye

Dar

k, h

oriz

onta

l, ha

rnes

s-lik

e st

ripes

alo

ng s

ides

of b

ody

Num

erou

s ta

ssel

s an

d sm

all s

kin

lobe

s ex

trud

ing

from

upp

er li

p

Yes

No

Spi

nes

exte

ndin

gfr

om 1

st a

nd 2

nddo

rsal

fin

orig

ins

Yes

Num

erou

s di

stin

ct s

mal

l da

rk d

ots

thro

ugho

ut

uppe

r bo

dy p

atte

rnin

g

Dra

ught

boar

d sh

ark

(p57

)

Yes

Sad

dled

sw

ells

hark

(p58

)

Mor

e th

an fo

ur d

ark

band

s (o

f var

ying

wid

ths)

on

uppe

r bo

dy (

incl

udin

g th

e ta

il) b

ehin

d th

e 1s

t dor

sal f

in

No

Whi

tefin

sw

ells

hark

(p59

)

Yes

Por

t Jac

kson

sh

ark

(p60

)

No

Yes

Fla

ttene

d he

ad, p

ecto

ral f

ins

and

pelv

ic fi

ns o

verla

pY

es

No

Sm

all t

horn

s on

ski

n be

twee

n th

e ey

es

No

Aus

tral

ian

ange

lsha

rk(p

53)

Yes

Eas

tern

ang

elsh

ark

(p52

)

No

13

Saw

shar

ks a

nd o

ther

long

-sno

uted

sha

rks

and

rays

No

Gre

en s

awfis

h(p

64)

Gill

-slit

s on

the

side

of t

he h

ead

inst

ead

of o

n th

e un

ders

ide;

and

tw

o so

ft ba

rbel

s on

the

snou

t

Yes

Bas

e of

sof

t bar

bels

clo

ser

to th

e ey

es th

an to

th

e tip

of t

he s

nout

No

Com

mon

saw

shar

k(p

63)

1st d

orsa

l fin

alm

ost d

irect

ly

abov

e pe

lvic

fins

; and

a

dist

inct

low

er ta

il lo

be

Rou

nded

(ci

rcul

ar)

snou

t

No

Whi

te-s

potte

d gu

itarf

ish

(p67

)

Qui

te s

harp

ly-p

oint

ed s

nout

(le

ss th

an 9

0 de

gree

s)N

o

Yes

Eas

tern

fidd

ler

ray

(p66

)

Yes

Eas

tern

sho

veln

ose

ray

(p68

)

Saw

-too

thed

sno

ut

Yes

No

Onl

y 2-

3 sm

all t

horn

s in

fron

t of e

ach

eye;

and

on

ly 1

-2 s

mal

l tho

rns

next

to e

ach

spira

cle

No

Yes

Yes

Sou

ther

n sa

wsh

ark

(p62

)

No

Gia

nt s

hove

lnos

e ra

y(p

69)

Yes

Sha

rk r

ay(p

65)

KEY 5

KEY

5: S

awsh

arks

and

oth

er lo

ng-s

nout

ed s

hark

s an

d ra

ys

14

DDistinguishing istinguishing ffeaeaturtureses

interdorsal ridge present

precaudal pit present1

2

3

NSW DPI code:SHK-01Sandbar shark

(Carcharhinus plumbeus)

Distinguishing features• Interdorsalridgepresent • 1stdorsalfinoriginwellforwardofthefreereartipsofthepectoralfins1

2• Distinctivelytall1stdorsalfinrelativetobodysize• Relativelyroundedsnoutcomparedwiththebignoseshark3• Upperteethbroadlytriangular;edgesserratedandonlyveryslightly curved Colouration• Pale-bronzetogreyish-brownupperbody;paleunderside• Finsusuallyhavenodistinctivemarkings

Size & Distribution• Born~55-75cm;max~240cm • UsuallydemersalinNSWcoastalandshelfwaterssouthtoatleast Port Macquarie; and to about 280 m depth

Distinguishing featuresDistinguishing features

15

NSW DPI code:SHK-02


precaudal pit present1 23

Bignose shark (Carcharhinus altimus)

Distinguishing features • Conspicuousinterdorsalridgepresent1• 1stdorsalfinoriginwellforwardofthefreereartipsofthepectoralfins2• 1stdorsalfinnowherenearastallasthatofthesandbarshark• Slightlylongerandmorebluntsnoutcomparedwiththesandbarshark3• Upperteethbroadlytriangular;edgesserratedandmoreorlessstraight

Colouration• Bronzetolight-greyupperbody;verypaleunderside• Upperfinscanhavequitedark,duskytips(mostlyinjuveniles)

Size & Distribution• Born~60-75cm;max~300cm• UncommonlyreportedfromnorthernNSWwaters• Usuallydemersalinoutershelfandslopewatersatdepthsofbetween 80 and 430 m

16


1

2 interdorsal ridge present precaudal pit

present

NSW DPI code:SHK-03Dusky whaler

(Carcharhinus obscurus)

Distinguishing features• Lowinterdorsalridgepresent• 1stdorsalfinorigindirectlyaboveorjustbehindthefreereartipsof1

the pectoral fins• Upperteethbroadlytriangular;edgesserratedandgentlycurved(i.e.2

no angular notch)• Relativelyshort,roundedsnoutandthick(stout)bodycomparedwith the similar silky shark Colouration• Bronzy-greytodark-greyupperbody;paleunderside• Finswithindistinctduskytips,moredistinctinjuveniles

Size & Distribution• Born~70-100cm;max.~365cm• UsuallydemersalthroughoutNSWcoastalandshelfwaterstoaround 400 m depth


17

NSW DPI code:SHK-04

interdorsal ridge precaudal pit present present

12

3

3

Silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)

Distinguishing features• Interdorsalridgepresent• 1stdorsalfinoriginwellbehindthefreereartipsofthepectoralfins1

2• Upperteethbroadlytriangular;edgesserratedwithanangularnotch halfway down one edge 3• Distinctivelylongfreereartipsandinnermarginson2nddorsaland anal fins• Moderatelylong,narrowly-roundedsnoutandslenderbodycompared with the similar dusky whaler Colouration• Uniformdark-browntodark-greyupperbody;verypaleunderside• 1stdorsalfinplain;otherfinssometimeswithduskytips Size & Distribution• Born~70-85cm;max.~330cm• Pelagiccoastal,shelfandoceanicwatersoffNSWsouthtoatleastSydney• Usuallynearsurface;mostabundantneartheedgeofthecontinental shelf

18


precaudal pit present

1 interdorsal ridgepresent

1

NSW DPI code:SHK-05Oceanic whitetip shark

(Carcharhinus longimanus)

Distinguishing features• Interdorsalridgepresent1• 1stdorsal,pectoral,pelvicandtailfinswithwhitetipsinspecimens >130 cm long• Huge,rounded1stdorsalfinandverylong,widepectoralfins• Quitestockybodywithshort,roundedsnout• Upperteethbroadlytriangular;edgesserrated Colouration• Bronzy-greyupperbody;verypaleunderside-sometimeswitha yellow tinge• Mostfinsofspecimens<130cmlonghavedarktipsthateventually change to white

Size & Distribution• Born~60-65cm;max.~300cm• PelagicoceanicspecieswhichsometimescomesclosetoshoreinNSW waters


19

NSW DPI code:SHK-06



2

1

Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)

Distinguishing features• Distinctinterdorsalridge• Darkverticalbarsonbodyofsharksupto300cmlong,butbarsfaint1

or missing in larger adults • Teethinbothjawsbroadandcoarselyserrated,withoneedgedeeply2

notched and the other convex• Quiteslenderbodywitharelativelylargeheadandblunt,almost square-shaped snout Colouration• Upperbodygrey,withverticalbarsinsharks<300cmlong;white underside• Barsfaintormissinginlargeradults Size & Distribution• Born~51-76cm;max.~600cm• Pelagicanddemersal;throughoutNSWcoastalwaterstoatleast150m depth

20



1

2

1

1

1

no interdorsal ridge

NSW DPI code:SHK-07Common blacktip shark

(Carcharhinus limbatus)

Distinguishing features• Nointerdorsalridge1• Mostfinsusuallyhaveblackorduskytips*,butanalfindoesnothavea distinctive ‘paint-dipped’ black tip (it is slightly dusky or pale-coloured)2• Upperteethserrated;relativelylong,slenderanderect(dagger-like) compared with those of the similar spinner shark • 1stdorsalfinoriginslightlyforwardofthefreereartipsofthepectoralfins

*Note:largeradultsmaylackblacktip–ifso,carefullyinspectteeth Colouration• Bronzetogreyupperbody;paleunderside• Mostfinsusuallyhaveblackordarkduskytips(someadultsmaylack distinctive fin markings)

Size & Distribution• Born~40-70cm;max.~250cm• PelagicanddemersalinNSWcoastalandshelfwaterssouthtoatleast Sydney


21

NSW DPI code:SHK-08Spinner shark

(Carcharhinus brevipinna)

Distinguishing features• Nointerdorsalridge1• Mostfinshaveblackorduskytips2• Analfinalmostalwayshasdistinctiveblacktipthatlookslikeithas been dipped in black paint (i.e. not just a dusky colouration)3• Upperteethslenderandfinelyserrated;verysmall(eveninlarge sharks) compared with the long, pointed teeth of the similar-looking common blacktip shark• 1stdorsalfinorigininlinewithorslightlybehindfreereartipsofthe pectoral fins Colouration• Bronzetogreyupperbody;paleunderside• Finsplainatbirth(60-80cmlong)butblacktipswillhavedevelopedon most fins (except pelvic fins) by 130 cm long Size & Distribution• Born~60-80cm;max.~280cm• Usuallydemersaltoatleast75mdepthinNSWcoastalandshelf waters south to at least Jervis Bay

no interdorsal ridgeprecaudal pit

1 present1

3

2

1

22


no interdorsal ridgeprecaudal pit present

3

12

1

NSW DPI code:SHK-09Blue shark

(Prionace glauca)

Distinguishing features• Nointerdorsalridge• Noconspicuousfinmarkings• Nospinesondorsalfins1• 2nddorsalfinlessthanhalftheheightofthe1stdorsalfin2• 1stdorsalfinoriginwellbehindthefreereartipsofthepectoralfins3• Verylongpectoralfinsthataremorethantwicethelengthofthe1st dorsal fin• Slenderbodywithlongsnout• Caudalpedunclewithweaklateralkeels• Teethwithcurvededges,notheavilyindented Colouration• Brightblue(indigoblue)upperbodythatfadestogreyquitequickly after death; white underside

Size & Distribution• Born~35-50cm;max.~380cm• Pelagic–usuallynearsurface;shelfandoceanicwatersthroughoutNSW• Mostabundantneartheedgeofthecontinentalshelf,butfoundcloser inshore where the continental shelf is narrow


23

NSW DPI code:SHK-10


121

3

Sliteye shark (Loxodon macrorhinus)

Distinguishing features• Nointerdorsalridge• Noconspicuousfinmarkings• Nospinesondorsalfins1• 2nddorsalfinlessthanhalftheheightofthe1stdorsalfin2• 1stdorsalfinoriginwellbehindthefreereartipsofthepectoralfins3• Pectoralfinsthesamelengthas,oronlyslightlylargerthantheheight of the 1st dorsal fin• Small,slendersharkwithrelativelylargeeyesforitssize• Small,smooth-edgedteethwithoneedgeheavilyindented• 2nddorsalfinoriginbehindanalfinattachment

Colouration• Bronzetogreyishupperbody;paleunderside• Trailingedgeofpectoralfinspale• 1stdorsalandtailfinssometimesdark-edged Size & Distribution• Born~40-45cm;max.~90cm• Demersal;possiblyinfarnorthernNSWcoastalandshelfwaterstoat least 100 m depth

24


no interdorsal ridgeprecaudal pit present1

2

NSW DPI code:SHK-11Bull shark

(Carcharhinus leucas)

Distinguishing features• Nointerdorsalridge• Nodistinctivefinmarkingsinadults• Nospinesondorsalfins• 1stdorsalfinoriginforwardofthefreereartipsofthepectoralfins1

• Upperteethbroadlytriangularandheavilyserratedwithmoreorless2

straight edges• Stout-bodiedwithabluntsnoutcomparedwiththebronzewhaler• Relativelylarge2nddorsalfin(usuallyaboutathirdoftheheight of the 1st dorsal fin) compared with the bronze whaler

Colouration• Greyupperbody;paleunderside• Finsofadultswithnodistinctivemarkings,butjuvenilesoftenwith dusky-black fin tips

Size & Distribution• Born~55-80cm;max.~340cm• UsuallydemersalinNSWcoastalandshelfwaters(toatleast150m depth), estuaries and rivers south to at least Wollongong


25

NSW DPI code:SHK-12


12

Bronze whaler (Carcharhinus brachyurus)

Distinguishing features• Usually(i.e.almostalways)nointerdorsalridge• Nodistinctivefinmarkings• Nospinesondorsalfins• 1stdorsalfinoriginusuallyinlinewithorslightlyforwardofthefree1

rear tips of the pectoral fins• Upperteethbroad-basedbutnarrowlytriangular,distinctivelycurved2

(hook-shaped) and finely serrated• Relativelylong,roundedsnoutcomparedwiththebullshark• Relativelysmall2nddorsalfin(usuallylessthanaquarteroftheheight of the 1st dorsal fin) compared with the bull shark

Colouration• Bronzetogreyishupperbody;creamywhiteunderside• Finslackdistinctivemarkingsalthoughmarginsandtipscanbedusky

Size & Distribution• Born~60-70cm;max.~300cm• Pelagicanddemersal;throughoutNSWcoastalwaterstoatleast100m depth

26




4

3

1

2

1

NSW DPI code:SHK-13Weasel shark

(Hemigaleus australiensis, previously known as H. microstoma)

Distinguishing features• Nointerdorsalridge• Noconspicuousfinmarkingsalthoughtipsmightbedusky• Nospinesondorsalfins• 2nddorsalfinatleasthalftheheightofthe1stdorsalfin1

• 2nddorsalfinoriginmuchclosertotheanalfinoriginthantothefree2

rear tips of the pelvic fins• Upperteethwithoneedgecoarsely-serrated(comb-like)andtheother3

edge smooth4• Notchatbackcornerofeachalmond-shapedeye,andspiraclespresent

Colouration• Greyishtobronzeupperbody;paleunderside• 2nddorsalanduppertailfintipsusuallyduskyinsmallerindividuals but fading in larger ones

Size & Distribution• Born~30cm;max.~110cm• Usuallydemersal;possiblyinfarnorthernNSWcoastalandshelf watersto~170mdepth


27

NSW DPI code:SHK-14



4

31

2

1

Lemon shark(Negaprion acutidens)

Distinguishing features• Nointerdorsalridge• Noconspicuousfinmarkings• Nospinesondorsalfins1• 2nddorsalfinatleasthalftheheightofthe1stdorsalfin2• 2nddorsalfinoriginclosertotheanalfinoriginthantothefree rear tips of the pelvic fins 3• Upperandlowerteethnarrowlytriangularandsmooth-edged (dagger-like); no cusplets• Stockyandrobustbodywithbroad,bluntsnout4 Eye rounded in shape – no notch immediately behind eye

Colouration• Pale-yellowtolight-brownorgreyupperbody;whitishunderside• Noconspicuousfinmarkings

Size & Distribution• Born~50-70cm;max.~300cm• Usuallydemersal;possiblyinfarnorthernNSWcoastalandestuarine watersto~30mdepth

28




1

3

2

1

NSW DPI code:SHK-PROTECTEDGrey nurse shark

(Carcharias taurus)

Distinguishing features• Nointerdorsalridge •Noconspicuousfinmarkings• Nospinesondorsalfins1• 1stand2nddorsalfinsalmostthesamesize2• 2nddorsalfinoriginclosertothefreereartipsofthepelvicfinsthanto the anal fin origin3• Usuallywithbrownspotsonsidesofthebody(flanks)• Analfinsimilarinsizetobothdorsalfins• Teethlong,thin,non-serrated(i.e.stiletto-shaped)andprotruding from mouth; single cusplets either side of main cusp

Colouration• Greytobronzeupperbody;paletowhiteunderside• Darkspotsofvaryingsizeontheflanks(andsometimesfins)aremore distinct in juveniles

Size & Distribution• Born~100cm;max.~350cm• DemersalincoastalandpossiblydeepershelfwatersthroughoutNSW• Knowntooccurinshoreinsmallgroupsindeepgutters(15-40m) around rocky outcrops, bomboras and reefs


29

NSW DPI code:SHK-


1

2

1

3

PROTECTEDSandtiger shark (Herbst’s nurse shark)(Odontaspis ferox)

Distinguishing features• Nointerdorsalridge •Noconspicuousfinmarkings• Nospinesondorsalfins• 2nddorsalfinapproximatelythree-quarterstheheightofthe1st 1

dorsal fin2• 2nddorsalfinoriginclosertothefreereartipsofthepelvicfinsthanto the anal fin origin3• Rarelywithbrownspotsonbody• Analfinsimilarsizeto2nddorsalfin,butsmallerthan1stdorsalfin• Teeththinandpointy;twinortripletcuspletseithersideofmaincusp

Colouration• Mediumtodarkgreyupperbody;paletowhiteunderside• Juvenilesmayhaveslightlyduskymarginsandtipsonbothdorsalfins and the tail • Sometimeswithdarkerspotsscatteredontheflanks

Size & Distribution• Born~100cm;max.~450cm• Demersal;usuallyinoutershelfandslopewatersto450mdepth throughout NSW; sometimes found closer to the coast

30


no precaudal pit

31

2

3

4

NSW DPI code:SHK-15

Distinguishing features1• Sixgillslits• Onedorsalfinonly2

• Distancebetweenendtipoftheanalfinandthelowertail-lobeorigin3

very similar to the distance between end tip of the pelvic fin and the anal fin origin• Palestreakpresentalonglateralline4

• Bodybulkywithshort,wide,bluntsnout• Singledorsalfinwellbackonthebody

Colouration• Lightordarkgreytodarkbrownupperbody;greyish-whiteunderside• Palestreakusuallypresentalonglateralline• Finswiththinwhitetrailingedges

Size & Distribution• Born~65cm;max.~480cm• Demersalinshelfandupperslopewatersto2000mdepth–possibly along entire NSW shelf from north to south

Bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus)


31

NSW DPI code:SHK-16

no precaudal pit

31

2

3

Distinguishing features• Sixgillslits1

2• Onedorsalfinonly3• Distancebetweenendtipoftheanalfinandthelowertail-lobeorigin more than twice the distance between the end tip of the pelvic fin and the anal fin origin• Nopalestreakalonglateralline• Bodybulkywithshort,slender,bluntsnout• Singledorsalfinwellbackonthebody

Colouration• Brownish-greyupperbody;paleunderside• Finswithwhitetrailingedges

Size & Distribution• Born~40-45cm;max.~180cm• DemersalinshelfandupperslopewatersofnorthernNSWsouthtoat least Coffs Harbour• Foundatdepthsofbetween100and700m

Bigeye sixgill shark(Hexanchus nakamurai)

32


no precaudal pit

2

1

3

NSW DPI code:SHK-17

Distinguishing features• Sevengillslits1

• Onedorsalfinonly2

• Upperbodypepperedwithblackand/orwhitespots3

• Distancebetweenendtipoftheanalfinandthelowertail-lobeorigin very similar to the distance between end tip of the pelvic fin and the anal fin origin• Bodybulkywithshort,wide,bluntsnout

Colouration• Silvery-greytobrownishupperbody;whiteunderside• Upperbodyandfinssprinkledwithblackandwhitespotsandsmall blotches

Size & Distribution• Born~40-45cm;max.~300cm• DemersalincoastalandshelfwatersofsouthernNSWnorthtoatleast Sydney, and at depths of at least 150 m

Broadnose shark (Notorynchus cepedianus)


33

NSW DPI code:SHK-18

no precaudal pit

2

1

3

Distinguishing features• Sevengillslits1

• Onedorsalfinonly2

3• Nospotsorpepperingonupperbody• Distancebetweenendtipoftheanalfinandthelowertail-lobeorigin more than twice the distance between the end tip of the pelvic fin and the anal fin origin • Bodyslenderwithnarrow,pointedhead

Colouration• Plainbrownish-greyupperbody;paleunderside• Darktipsondorsalfinanduppertaillobe

Size & Distribution• Born~25cm;max.~140cm• DemersalinallNSWshelfandupperslopewatersdowntoatleast 1000 m depth

Sharpnose sevengill shark(Heptranchias perlo)

34



2

1

3


4

NSW DPI code:SHK-19

Distinguishing features• Nointerdorsalridge• Nodistinctblacktipsonfins• Prominentspinesextendingfrom1stand2nddorsalfinorigins1

• Trailingedgeoftailsmoothlyroundedandwithoutsub-apicalnotch2

• Obviousbutsmudgydarkpatchonthetailandatthecentreofits3

trailing edge• Slender-bodiedshark;analfinabsent4

• Dorsalfinsgreyandcommonlywithslightlydarkertipandtrailingedge

Colouration• Darkgreyupperbody;paletowhiteunderside• Tailmostlygreyishwithabroaddarkishareaalongthecentrethe trailing edge• Tipsofupperandlowerlobesoftailwhitish

Size & Distribution• Born~20cm;max.~110cm• DemersalonoutershelfandupperslopeinNSWwatersatbetween 150 and 600 m depth

Dark-tailed dogfishes Greeneye dogfish - Squalus choloroculus Northern greeneye dogfish - Squalus montalbani Eastern longnose dogfish - Squalus grahami This example:

Northern greeneye dogfish


35

NSW DPI code:SHK-20


2

1

3


4

Distinguishing features• Nointerdorsalridge• Nodistinctblacktipsonfins• Prominentspinesextendingfrom1stand2nddorsalfinorigins1

2• Trailingedgeoftailsmoothlyroundedandwithoutsub-apicalnotch• Nodarkpatchonthetail–entiretrailingedgeoftailpaleorwhite3

4• Slender-bodiedshark;analfinabsent• Uppermarginsofdorsalfinsmaybeslightlydark

Colouration• Pale-greyishtobrownishupperbody;pale/whiteunderside• Tailmostlygreyishwithawhiteorverypaletrailingedge

Size & Distribution• Born~20cm;max.~90cm• DemersalonoutershelfandupperslopeinNSWwatersatbetween 150 and 400 m depth

White-tailed dogfishesSpiky dogfish - Squalus megalops Eastern highfin dogfish - Squalus albifrons

This example: Spiky dogfish

This example: Northern greeneye dogfish

36




4

2

1

3

3

5

NSW DPI code:SHK-21

Distinguishing features• Nointerdorsalridge •Nodistinctblacktipsonfins• Prominentspinesextendingfrom1stand2nddorsalfinorigins1

2• Trailingedgeoftailwithnotch(orflap)–i.e.notsmoothlyrounded• Heightof2nddorsalfinatleasttwo-thirdsthatofthe1stdorsalfin3

• Smallwhitespotinthemiddleoftheuppersurfaceofthesnout4

• Distancefromsnouttiptofrontcornerofeyeequalorslightlyless than distance from front corner of eye to the spiracle• Noanalfin5

Colouration• Upperbodylightbrowninadults,greyinjuveniles;paleunderside• Tipsandtrailingedgesofdorsalfinscanbedark,butmuchlesssoin adults• Usuallyasmallwhitespotinthemiddleoftheuppersurfaceofthesnout

Size & Distribution• Born~40cm;malesmax.~90cm;femalesmax.~110cm• DemersalonupperslopeinNSWwatersnorthtoatleastCrowdyHead, and at depths of between 250 and 800 m

Southern dogfish (Centrophorus zeehaani)


37

NSW DPI code:SHK-22



4

2

1

3

3

5

Distinguishing features• Nointerdorsalridge •Nodistinctblacktipsonfins• Prominentspinesextendingfrom1stand2nddorsalfinorigins1

2• Trailingedgeoftailwithnotch(orflap)–i.e.notsmoothlyrounded• Heightof2nddorsalfinatleasttwo-thirdsthatofthe1stdorsalfin3

• Nosmallwhitespotinmiddleofuppersurfaceofsnout4

• Distancefromthesnouttiptothefrontcornerofeyenoticeably greater (about 1.4 x) than the distance from front corner of the eye to the spiracle5• Noanalfin

Colouration• Light-greyishorbrownishupperbody;paleunderside• Tailmostlygreyishwithaslightlydarkerposteriorhalfoftail-flaps• Upperfrontofdorsalfinswithdarkpatch;lessobviousinadults• Oftenadarksmudgearoundthebasesofdorsalfins

Size & Distribution• Born~40cm;malesmax.~95cm;femalesmax.~110cm.• DemersalonupperslopeinNSWwatersnorthtoatleastCoffsHarbour, and at depths of between 250 and 1000 m

Harrisson’s dogfish (Centrophorus harrissoni)

38



4

2

1

3

3

5

NSW DPI code:SHK-23

Distinguishing features• Nointerdorsalridge• Nodistinctblacktipsonfins1• Prominentspinesextendingfrom1stand2nddorsalfinorigins2• Trailingedgeoftailwithnotch(orflap)–i.e.notsmoothlyrounded3• Heightof2nddorsalfinabouthalfthatofthe1stdorsalfin4• Nosmallwhitespotinmiddleofuppersurfaceofsnout5• Noanalfin

Colouration• Light-greyishorbrownishupperbody;paleunderside• Tailmostlygreyishwithapaletrailingedge• Smallerindividualswithdarkblotchesnearthetipofthe1stdorsalfin

Size & Distribution• Born~40cm;malesmax.~85cm;femalesmax.~95cm• DemersalonoutershelfandupperslopeinNSWwatersatbetween 150 and 650 m depth

Endeavour dogfish (Centrophorus moluccensis)


39

NSW DPI code:SHK-24

1

2

3

no precaudal pit

Distinguishing features• Fivegillslits1

2• Numeroussmallwhitespotsonupperbody;spotslessprominenton northern NSW specimens • Nospinesextendingfromdorsalfinorigins• Slendersharkwith2nddorsalfinaboutthree-quartersthesizeofthe 1st dorsal fin and much larger than the anal fin• 2nddorsalfinorigininfrontofanalfinorigin3• Flat,crushingteeth

Colouration• Greyish-brownonupperbodywithnumeroussmallwhitespots;pale underside

Size & Distribution• Born~30-35cm;max.~130cm• Demersalincoastal,shelfandslopewatersthroughoutNSWtoabout 500 m depth

Gummy shark (Mustelus antarcticus)

40


no precaudal pit

1

2

33

NSW DPI code:SHK-25

Distinguishing features1• Fivegillslits• Nowhitespotsonupperbody2

3• 2nddorsalfinmorethanhalftheheightofthe1stdorsalfinand much larger than the anal fin• Slender-bodiedshark• Nospinesextendingfromdorsalfinorigins• Teethwithveryangledmaincusp;comb-likeserrationsononeedge

Colouration• Bronzetogreyish-brownupperbody;paleunderside• Dorsalanduppercaudalfinduskyontips

Size & Distribution• Born~35cm;max.~130cm• DemersalincoastalandshelfwatersthroughoutNSWatdepthsof between 40 and 230 m

Pencil shark (Hypogaleus hyugaensis)


41

NSW DPI code:SHK-26

no precaudal pit

1

2

3

3

Distinguishing features• Fivegillslits1

2• Nowhitespotsonupperbody3• 2nddorsalfinclearlylessthanhalftheheightofthe1stdorsalfinand about the same size as the anal fin• Slender-bodiedsharkwithaverylargenotch(flap)ontheunderside of the upper lobe of the tail fin• Nospinesextendingfromdorsalfinorigins• Pointed,almosttriangularteeth;serrationsontheupperhalfofoneedge

Colouration• Bronzetogreyish-brownupperbody;paleunderside• Undersidenearsnouttipoftentranslucent

Size & Distribution• Born~30cm;max.~180cm• Demersalincoastal,shelfandslopewatersthroughoutNSW

School shark (Galeorhinus galeus)

42


1

4

2

3

NSW DPI code:PROTECTEDSHK-Great white shark

(Carcharodon carcharias)

Distinguishing features• Pointed,conicalsnout1

2• Crescent-shapedtail–upperandlowertaillobesofquitesimilarlength3• Large,broadlytriangular,serratedteeth• Pectoralfinsusuallywithduskytipsonunderside4• Prominentlateralkeeloncaudalpeduncle,butnosecondarykeelon caudal peduncle

Colouration• Greytobrownishupperbody,mergingabruptlyfromthatcolouron the flanks to an entirely white underside

Size & Distribution• Born~130cm;max.possibly~700cm• Demersalandpelagicthroughoutcoastal,shelfandoceanicwatersof NSW to about 1200 m depth


43

NSW DPI code:SHK-27

1

2

3

2

Porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus)


• Crescent-shapedtailwithsecondarykeelbelowtheextensionofthe2

main caudal peduncle keel• Moderatelylong,slender,smooth-edgedteethwithalateralcuspleton3

either side• Bodystout;snoutrelativelylongandconical

Colouration• Bluish-greyupperbody;whiteunderside• Juvenileswithduskypatchesbeneathpectoralfinsandundersideof gill slits

Size & Distribution• Born~70-80cm;max.~300cm• UncommonlyreportedfrompelagicshelfandoceanicNSWwaters from the surface to at least 350 m depth

44


1

4

2

3

5

5

NSW DPI code:SHK-28Shortfin mako shark

(Isurus oxyrinchus)

Distinguishing features1• Pointed,conicalsnout• Crescent-shapedtail–upperandlowertaillobesofquitesimilarlength2

• Long,slender,pointedteeth(notserratedandwithoutcusplets)that3

protrude noticeably from mouth4• Nosecondarykeeloncaudalpeduncle5• Pectoralfinlengthslightlylessthanthedistancebetweenthepectoral fin origin and the snout tip• Upperandlowerteethflexed,withtipsreversed

Colouration• Upperbodyindigo-blue,mergingabruptlyfromlighterblue/silveron the flanks to an entirely white underside• Undersideofsnoutiswhite

Size & Distribution• Born~70cm;max.~400cm• Pelagicthroughoutcoastal,shelfandoceanicwatersofNSWtoatleast 150 m depth


45

NSW DPI code:SHK-29

2

1

4

34

Longfin mako shark (Isurus paucus)


• Crescent-shapedtail–upperandlowertaillobesofquitesimilarlength2

• Long,slender,pointedteeth(notserratedandwithoutcusplets)that protrude noticeably from mouth (teeth similar to shortfin mako)• Nosecondarykeeloncaudalpeduncle3

4• Pectoralfinlengthsimilarto,orgreaterthanthedistancebetweenthe pectoral fin origin and the snout tip • Thecuspsofupperandloweranteriorteetharestraight,withtipsnot reversed

Colouration• Darkslaty-blueorgrey-blackupperbody;mainlywhiteunderside• Undersideofsnoutandjawsdarkinadultsandlargejuveniles

Size & Distribution• Born90-120cm;max.~420cm• PossiblyinnorthernNSWwaters(atleast)• Thoughttobedeep-dwellinginmostlyoffshoreandoceanicwaters

46


1

2

3

4

NSW DPI code:SHK-30Thresher shark

(Alopias vulpinus)

Distinguishing features• Roundedandonlyslightlypointedsnout1

• Verylonguppertaillobe–similarinlengthtobody(excludingtail)2

• Nogrooveonhead3

• Whitepatchesabovepectoralandpelvicfinorigins4

• Eyeslarge,butdonotextendontothedorsalsurfaceofthehead• Headstronglyarchedbetweeneyes

Colouration• Blue-greyupperbodywithametalliclustrewhenalive;white underside

Size & Distribution• Born~115-150cm;max.~550cm• Mainlypelagicthroughoutcoastal,shelfandoceanicwatersofNSWto about 400 m depth


47

NSW DPI code:SHK-31

1 4

2

3

Pelagic thresher (Alopias pelagicus)



• Nogrooveonhead3

4• Skincolouringimmediatelyabovepectoralandpelvicfinoriginsdark in colour (i.e. no white patches)• Eyeslarge,butdonotextendontodorsalsurfaceofhead• Headstronglyarchedbetweeneyes

Colouration• Palegreyupperbody;whiteunderside• Areaabovegillsandflankregionmayhaveametallicsilveryhue

Size & Distribution• Born~100cm;max.~350cm• Pelagic;possiblyinnorthernNSWwaters

48


3

1

2

4

NSW DPI code:SHK-32Bigeye thresher

(Alopias superciliosus)



3• Pronouncedgroovefromabovetheeyesanddowneachsideofthe head to above the gills 4• Skincolouringimmediatelyabovepectoralandpelvicfinoriginsdark in colour (i.e. no white patches)• Bigeyesthatextendontodorsalsurfaceofthehead,whichisnearly flat between the eyes

Colouration• Purplishtoviolet-greyupperbody;creamywhiteunderside• Flanksmayhaveametallicsheen

Size & Distribution• Born~65-100cm;max.~460cm• Mainlypelagicthroughoutcoastal,shelfandoceanicwatersofNSWto about 500 m depth


49

NSW DPI code:SHK-33

3

1

2

4

2

Great hammerhead(Sphyrna mokarran)

Distinguishing features• Hammer-likehead1

• Heightof2nddorsalfinequaltoorslightlygreaterthanheightofanalfin2

• Frontmarginofheadnearlystraightandwithaslightindentationatits3

centre4• Extremelytall,sickle-shaped1stdorsalfin• Teethwithclearserrations

Colouration• Bronzytogreyish-brownupperbody;paleunderside• Nofinmarkingsinadults;2nddorsalfintipdarkinjuveniles

Size & Distribution• Born~60cm;max.~600cm• PelagicanddemersalthroughoutnorthernNSWcoastalandshelf waters south to at least Sydney

50


1

2

2

3

NSW DPI code:SHK-34Scalloped hammerhead

(Sphyrna lewini)

Distinguishing features1• Hammer-likehead2• 2nddorsalfinsmallerthananalfin• Distinctiveindentationincentreoffrontmarginofthehead3

3• Frontmarginofheadcurvesbackfromthemiddle• Teethsmoothedged(oratmostweaklyserrated)

Colouration• Olive-bronzetobrownish-greyupperbody;paleunderside• Undersideofpectoral-fintipsduskyinadults;nootherfinmarkings• Pectoral,lowertailand2nddorsalfintipsdarkinjuveniles

Size & Distribution• Born~45-50cm;max.~350cm• PelagicanddemersalthroughoutnorthernNSWcoastalandshelf waters south to at least Sydney


51

NSW DPI code:SHK-35

2

2

1

3

Smooth hammerhead(Sphyrna zygaena)

Distinguishing features1• Hammer-likehead2• 2nddorsalfinsmallerthananalfin3• Noindentationincentreoffrontmarginofthehead3• Frontmarginofheadcurvesbackfromthemiddle• Narrow,slanting,finelyserrated(occasionallysmoothedged)teeth Colouration• Olivetodark-greyishbrownupperbody;whiteunderside• Ventraltipsofpectoralfinsdusky

Size & Distribution• Born~50-60cm;max.~350cm• PelagicanddemersalthroughoutNSWcoastalandshelfwaters

52


3

1

2

NSW DPI code:SHK-36Eastern angelshark

(Squatina albipunctata)

Distinguishing features• Twotassellednasalbarbelsextrudingfromtheupperlipinfrontoftheeyes1

• Nospinesextendingfromdorsalfinorigins2• Flattenedhead,pectoralandpelvicfinsoverlappingalongthelength of the body3• Topofheadbetweeneyesconcave(depressed)withthornspresent• Lowerlobeoftaildominatedbypalespots,withonlyafewdarkspots present

Colouration• Yellowish-brownupperbodywithnumeroussharplydefinedsmall dark edged white spots; white underside• Severallighterordarkerbrownishblotchesscatteredmore-or-less regularly

Size & Distribution• Born~25-30cm;max~130cm• DemersalthroughoutshelfwatersofNSWatdepthsofbetween~50 and 400 m depth


53

NSW DPI code:SHK-37

3

1

2

Australian angelshark (Squatina australis)

Distinguishing features• Twotassellednasalbarbelsextrudingfromtheupperlipinfrontoftheeyes1

• Nospinesextendingfromdorsalfinorigins• Flattenedhead,pectoralandpelvicfinsoverlappingalongthelength2

of the body• Areaontopofheadbetweeneyesflatorslightlyraisedwithnothorns3

present• Numerousdarkspotsonlowerlobeoftail

Colouration• Sandycolouredupperbodywithdensepatternofsmallirregularwhite spots and flecks; underside uniformly pale• Marginsofpectoralandpelvicfinswithwhiteedgesinterspersedwith dark markings

Size & Distribution• Born~25-30cm;max~120cm• Demersalthroughoutcoastalandshelfwatersofsouthernandcentral NSW north to at least Port Macquarie, and to about 150 m depth

54


1

3

2

NSW DPI code:SHK-38Banded wobbegong

(Orectolobus halei)

Distinguishing features1• Numeroustasselsandsmallskinlobesextrudingfromalongtheentire length of the upper lip2• Anywhitepatterningondorsalsurfacenotintheformofclearrings3• Twowart-like‘knobs’above(immediatelybehind)theeyes• LargestwobbegonginNSW;previouslyconfusedwithornate wobbegong• Darkerpatterningthanthespottedwobbegong• Nospinesextendingfromdorsalfinorigins

Colouration• Lightanddarkbrownupperbodywith9blotch-shapedsaddlesthat have conspicuous black, corrugated borders; creamy white or yellow underside• Lightbrownandgreyfreckle-likeblotchesbetweensaddles

Size & Distribution• Born~25-35cm;max.ofatleast220cm• DemersalthroughoutshallowcoastalandshelfwatersofNSWto about 100 m depth


55

NSW DPI code:SHK-39Ornate wobbegong

(Orectolobus ornatus)

Distinguishing features• Numeroustasselsandsmallskinlobesextrudingfromalongtheentire1

length of the upper lip2• Anywhitepatterningondorsalsurfacenotintheformofclearrings3• Nowart-like‘knobs’above(immediatelybehind)theeyes• Onlygrowstoamaximumof~110cm• Nospinesextendingfromdorsalfinorigins• Greenerandgreyerbackthanthebandedwobbegong,andwitha more ‘speckled/freckled’ upper body

Colouration• Similarpatterningtobandedwobbegong• Veryornateandmulticolouredpatterning• Yellowish-browntogreyish-brownupperbodywithdarkercorrugated saddles; creamy white or yellow underside • Lightbrownfreckle-likeblotcheswithinandin-betweensaddles

Size & Distribution• Born~20cm;max.~110cm• Demersalthroughoutshallowcoastalandshelfwatersofnorthernand central NSW south to at least Sydney, and to about 70 m depth

2

1

3

56

Distinguishing features• Numeroustasselsandsmallskinlobesextrudingfromalongtheentire1

length of the upper lip2• Distinctivepatternofwhiteringsoverentiredorsalsurface• Distinctivelypalerincolourthanotherwobbegongs• Nospinesextendingfromdorsalfinorigins

Colouration• Paleyellow/brownupperbodywithslightlydarkerblotch-shaped saddles; creamy white or yellow underside • Numerouswhiteringsformedfromchainsofsmallwhitespotsor flecks

Size & Distribution• Born~25cm;max.ofatleast170cm• DemersalthroughoutshallowcoastalandshelfwatersofNSW


2

1

NSW DPI code:SHK- 40Spotted wobbegong

(Orectolobus maculatus)


57

NSW DPI code:SHK- 41

2

1

Draughtboard shark(Cephaloscyllium laticeps)

Distinguishing features• Notasselsorskinlobesextrudingfromtheupperlip(althoughtwo1

simple nasal barbels present)• Nospinesextendingfromdorsalfinorigins;andhead,pectoralfins and pelvic fins do not overlap2• Numerousdarkblotchesandsmaller,scattered,distinctdarkdotson upper body• Typicallyinflatetheirbellywithwaterorairwhencaptured• Adultsnormallywithadarkmedianstripealongmidlineofbelly

Colouration• Medium-brownishtogreyishupperbodyornamentedwithadense array of dark blotches and smaller very dark dots; usually also with a scattering of pale flecks• Paleundersideadultsnormallywithadarkmedianstripealong midline of belly

Size & Distribution• Max:~100cm• DemersalthroughoutcoastalandshelfwatersofsouthernNSWnorth toatleastJervisBay,andatdepthsto~350m

58


3

1

2

NSW DPI code:SHK-42Saddled swellshark

(Cephaloscyllium variegatum)

Distinguishing features• Notasselsorskinlobesextrudingfromtheupperlip(althoughtwo1

simple nasal barbels present)• Nospinesextendingfromdorsalfinorigins;andhead,pectoralfins and pelvic fins do not overlap2• Few,ifany,distinctdarkdotsonupperbody3• Morethanfourdarkbandsorblotchesontheupperbodybehindthe 1st dorsal fin origin (including the tail)• Typicallyinflatetheirbellywithwaterorairwhencaptured• Nodarkstripealongmidlineofbelly

Colouration• Lightbrownupperbodyandsideswithabout11darker,weakly defined saddles of varying widths along its length; pale underside• Distinctdarkerspotinthemiddleofmanyofthelighterpatchesabove backbone

Size & Distribution• Max:~75cm• DemersalthroughoutoutershelfandupperslopewatersofNSWsouthto at least Tathra, and at depths between 100 and 600 m


59

NSW DPI code:SHK-43

3

1

2

Whitefin swellshark(Cephaloscyllium albipinnum)

Distinguishing features1• Notasselsorskinlobesextrudingfromtheupperlip(althoughtwo simple nasal barbels present)• Nospinesextendingfromdorsalfinorigins;andhead,pectoralfins and pelvic fins do not overlap• Few,ifany,distinctdarkdotsonupperbody2

3• Nomorethanfourdistinctdarkbandsorblotchesontheupperbody behind the 1st dorsal fin origin (including the tail)• Typicallyinflatetheirbellywithwaterorairwhencaptured• Nodarkstripealongmidlineofbelly

Colouration• Greyish-brownupperbodyandsideswithseveraldarkersaddlesand large blotches forming 9-10 cross-markings on upper body and tail; pale underside• Narrow,palemarginonmostfins

Size & Distribution• Max:~105cm• Demersalthroughoutoutershelfandupperslopewatersofsouthern NSW north to at least Batemans Bay, and at depths between 125 and 550 m

60


3

1

2

NSW DPI code:SHK-44Port Jackson shark

(Heterodontus portusjacksoni)

Distinguishing features1• Notasselsorskinlobesextrudingfromtheupperlip• Prominentspinesextendingfromoriginsofbothdorsalfins2

3• Darkmarkingsonbodybehindheadinshapeofaharness–thin horizontal stripes• Box-likeheadshape• Crestsaboveeyesslopeawaygraduallybehindeyes

Colouration• Mostlygreyish-brownupperbody(includingdorsalfins)• Darkharness-likebarbetweeneyesandinfrontof1stdorsalfinorigin extends onto upper surfaces of pectoral fins • Obliquedarkstripesextendhorizontallytowardstail

Size & Distribution• Born~20-25cm;max.~150cm• DemersalthroughoutcoastalandshelfwatersofNSWtoabout300m depth; most common in shallower coastal waters


61

NSW DPI code:SHK-45

1

2

3

Crested hornshark(Heterodontus galeatus)

Distinguishing features• Notasselsorskinlobesextrudingfromtheupperlip1

2• Prominentspinesextendingfromoriginsofbothdorsalfins3• Darkmarkingsonbodybehindheadinshapeofsaddles–i.e.nothin horizontal harness-like stripes• Box-likeheadshape• Veryhighcrestsaboveeyesterminatingabruptlybehindeyes

Colouration• Mostlyyellowish-brownupperbody;paledorsalfin• Thick,darkverticalbarsoneithersideofbodybelow1stdorsalfin• Darksaddlesbetweendorsalfinsandbehind2nddorsalfin

Size & Distribution• Born~20-25cm;max.~100cm• Demersalthroughoutcoastalandshelfwatersofnorthernandcentral NSW south to at least Batemans Bay, and to about 150 m depth

62


3

1

2

NSW DPI code:SHK-46

Distinguishing features

• Long,saw-toothedsnoutwithlong,softbarbels(feelers)present1

2• Gillslitslocatedonthesideofhead–notentirelyventrally3• Softbarbels(feelers)locatednoticeablyclosertotheeyesthantothe saw-tip• 17-19largeteethoneachsideofsnout

Colouration• Lightgreyupperbody;whiteunderside• Twofaintbrownishstripesalongthetopofthesnout;sidesofthesaw are often darker

Size & Distribution• Born~25cm;max.~100cm• Demersalthroughoutcoastalandshelfwatersofsouthernandcentral NSW north to at least Newcastle, and at depths shallower than 75 m

Southern sawshark (Pristiophorus nudipinnis)


63


3

1

Note: patterning typical of those from southern NSW waters – further north there is probably no patterning.

2

Distinguishing features 1• Long,saw-toothedsnoutwithlong,softbarbels(feelers)present2• Gillslitslocatedonthesideofhead–notentirelyventrally3• Softbarbels(feelers)locatedclosertothesaw-tipthantotheeyes(or at least halfway between them)• 19-25largeteethoneachsideofsnout

Colouration• Palesandy-colouredupperbody,althoughsometimeswithdark brownish bands, blotches and spots in southern NSW waters; white underside • Twothin,brownishstripesalongthetopofthesnout;sidesofthesaw are often darker

Size & Distribution• Born~30-40cm;max.~140cm• DemersalthroughoutcoastalandshelfwatersofNSWatdepths between 40 and 300 m

Common sawshark (Pristiophorus cirratus)

*Note:recentlydeclaredsynonymouswiththe‘easternsawshark’

64


3

1

2

NSW DPI code:SHK-PROTECTED


• Long,saw-toothedsnoutwithoutlongsoftbarbels(feelers)1

2• Gillslitslocatedentirelyonwhiteventralsurface3• Unlikesawsharks,the1stdorsalfinoriginisbehindthepelvicfinorigin• 24-28teethoneachsideofsawthataremorecloselyspacednearer the saw-tip than near the mouth

Colouration• Upperbodygreenishbrownorolivewithnoobviouspatterning;white underside

Size & Distribution• Max.~500cm• Extremelyrare• Demersal;possiblyinnortherncoastalandshelfwaterssouthto Sydney

Green sawfish (Pristis zijsron)


65


3

1

2


• Snoutwithoutsaw-teeth• 1stdorsalfindirectlyabovepelvicfins• Distinctlowerlobeontail• Circularlyroundedheadclearlydemarcatedfrompectoralfinorigins• Gillslitsentirelyonpaleundersideofhead• Verydeep-bodiedwithdistinctivecolourationandpatterning• Largethornsonhornyridgeslocatedpre-dorsallyonback

Colouration• Bluish-greywithnumerouswhitespotsonbackandtail;darkbands between eyes; mostly pale underside• Colourmorepronouncedinjuveniles;adultsoftenbrownishwithfaint spots and lines

Size & Distribution• Max:~270cm• Demersalthroughoutcoastalandshelfwatersofnorthernandcentral NSW south to at least Sydney, and to about 100 m depth

3

1

2

Shark ray (Rhina ancylostoma)

66


3

12

NSW DPI code:SHK-49


• Snoutwithoutsaw-teeth(ray-shapedhead)• 1stdorsalfinwellbehindpelvicfins• Nodistinctlowertaillobe• Flat,oval-shaped,roundly-pointed,ornately-patternedhead (>90-degree angle)• Gillslitsentirelyonpaleundersideofhead

Colouration• Brownupperbodywithtransverse,lightlycolouredbandsthathave dark brown edges; pale yellowish-white underside• Distinctivetriangle-ordiamond-shapedmarkingbetweenthe spiracles Size & Distribution• Max:~120cm• DemersalthroughoutcoastalandshelfwatersofNSWtoabout 150 m depth

3

1

2

1

Eastern fiddler ray (Trygonorrhina sp.)


67

NSW DPI code:SHK-50

3

1

2

4

White-spotted guitarfish (Rhynchobatus australiae)


• Snoutwithoutsaw-teeth1

2•1stdorsalfindirectlyabovepelvicfins• Distinctlowerlobeontail3

1• Triangular,pointedhead/snout• Gillslitsentirelyonpaleundersideofhead,whichmergessmoothly with pectoral fins4• Whitespotsalongeachsideofbody,and1-2darkspotsabovethe base of the pectoral fin• Smallthornsalongthemid-lineridgeoftheback

Colouration• Mostlygreyishtoyellowish-brownupperbody;paleunderside• 10-30whitespotsalongeachsideofthebodytotherearofthe1st dorsal fin• 1-2darkspotsabovethebaseofthepectoralfin

Size & Distribution• Born:~50cm;max:~300cm• DemersalthroughoutcoastalandshelfwatersofnorthernNSWsouth to at least Forster, and to about 100 m depth

68


3

1

2

4

NSW DPI code:SHK-51Eastern shovelnose ray

(Aptychotrema rostrata)


• Snoutwithoutsaw-teeth• 1stdorsalfinwellbehindpelvicfins• Nodistinctlowertaillobe• Long,flat,triangular,sharply-pointed(i.e.<90-degreeangle)snout and head• Only2-3smallthornsinfrontofeacheyeandonly1-2smallthorns next to each spiracle• Gillslitsentirelyonundersideofhead• About18-20short,widely-spacedthornsalongcentre-lineofheadand pre-dorsal tail

Colouration• Plainlightbrownupperbody–sometimeswithduskyblotchesorlight coloured speckles; mostly white underside• Snouttranslucent,sometimesblackunderneathtowardsthetip

Size & Distribution• Born:~20cm;max:~120cm• DemersalthroughoutcoastalandshelfwatersofNSWtoabout 150 m depth

1

2

4

3

1


69

NSW DPI code:SHK-52

3

1

2

4

Giant shovelnose ray (Rhinobatos typus)

Distinguishing features 2• Snoutwithoutsaw-teeth1 •1stdorsalfinwellbehindpelvicfins

• Nodistinctlowertaillobe3

• Long,flat,triangular,sharply-pointed(i.e.<90-degreeangle)snout1

and head• Atleast5closelygroupedsmallthornsinfrontofeacheyeand>34

small thorns next to each spiracle• Gillsslitsentirelyonundersideofhead• Closelyspacedlineofthornsorenlargeddenticlesalongcentre-line of head and pre-dorsal tail

Colouration• Greyish-browntooliveupperbody–distinctivelypalerandyellowish around head and fin margins; mostly pale underside • Snoutpaleyellowwithdarkbrownstripealongsnoutcartilage

Size & Distribution• Max~270cm • Rareanddemersalincoastalandshelfwaters(juvenilessometimesin estuaries) of northern NSW south to at least Forster; and to about 100 m depth

70

Index

AScientific name Page

Australian angelshark Squatina australis 53BBanded wobbegong Orectolobus halei 54Bigeye sixgill shark Hexanchus nakamurai 31Bigeye thresher Alopias superciliosus 48Bignose shark Carcharhinus altimus 15Blue shark Prionace glauca 22 Bluntnose sixgill shark Hexanchus griseus 30Broadnose shark Notorynchus cepedianus 32Bronze whaler Carcharhinus brachyurus 25Bull shark Carcharhinus leucas 24CCommon blacktip shark Carcharhinus limbatus 20Common sawshark Pristiophorus cirratus 63Crested hornshark Heterodontus galeatus 61DDark-tailed dogfishes Squalus chloroculus, grahami and montalbani 34 Draughtboard shark Cephaloscyllium laticeps 57Dusky whaler Carcharhinus obscurus 16EEastern angelshark Squatina albipunctata 52Eastern fiddler ray Trygonorrhina sp. 66Eastern shovelnose ray Aptychotrema rostrata 68Endeavour dogfish Centrophorus moluccensis 38GGiant shovelnose ray Rhinobatos typus 69Great hammerhead Sphyrna mokarran 49Great white shark Carcharodon carcharias 42Green sawfish Pristis zijsron 64Grey nurse shark Carcharias taurus 28Gummy shark Mustelus antarcticus 39 HHarrisson’s dogfish Centrophorus harrissoni 37LLemon shark Negaprion acutidens 27Longfin mako Isurus paucus 45

71

OScientific name Page

Oceanic whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus 18Ornate wobbegong Orectolobus ornatus 55PPelagic thresher Alopias pelagicus 47Pencil shark Hypogaleus hyugaensis 40Porbeagle Lamna nasus 43Port Jackson shark Heterodontus portusjacksoni 60SSaddled swellshark Cephaloscyllium variegatum 58Sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus 14Sandtiger (Herbst’s nurse) shark Odontaspis ferox 29Scalloped hammerhead Sphyrna lewini 50School shark Galeorhinus galeus 41Shark ray Rhina ancylostoma 65Sharpnose sevengill shark Heptranchias perlo 33Shortfin mako Isurus oxyrinchus 44Silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis 17Sliteye shark Loxodon macrorhinus 23Smooth hammerhead Sphyrna zygaena 51Southern dogfish Centrophorus zeehaani 36Southern sawshark Pristiophorus nudipinnis 62Spinner shark Carcharhinus brevipinna 21Spotted wobbegong Orectolobus maculatus 56TThresher shark Alopias vulpinus 46Tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier 19WWeasel shark Hemigaleus australiensis (H. microstoma) 26Whitefin swellshark Cephaloscyllium albipinnum 59White-spotted guitarfish Rhynchobatus australiae 67White-tailed dogfishes Squalus megalops and albifrons 35

The information in this publication is provided as a guide to NSW commercial fishers. Recognising that some of the information in this document is provided by third parties, the State of New South Wales, the author and the publisher take no responsibility for the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of any information included in the document provided by third parties. Users are reminded of the need to ensure that they comply with any applicable legislation regarding commercial fishing, which may change from time to time.

© State of New South Wales through NSW Department of Primary Industries 2008. You must not copy this guide for any purpose without the prior written consent of NSW Department of Primary Industries.

For more information on species identification, including commercial reporting requirements contact:

T: 1300 550 474E: inf

[email protected]

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/commercial

NSW

DPI

_894

7_O

CT0

8Illustrations Grey nurse shark, sandtiger (Herbst’s nurse) shark, great white shark, green sawfish © NSW DPI.All other illustrations © R Swainston/ANIMA.Guide prepared by WG Macbeth, M Vandenberg and KJ Graham (NSW DPI).

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