Species profile
Sandbar Shark
Carcharhinus plumbeus
Identify Sandbar Shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 2 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Sandbar Shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) is an IUCN Endangered shark or ray regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Confirmed by 535 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, Hawaii, and North Carolina the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Listed under MSA and CITES — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- Its first dorsal fin is proportionally the tallest of any requiem shark.
- Can live over 30 years, but females don't reach sexual maturity until around age 12.
- One of the most common large coastal sharks along the US East Coast.
- Females give birth to 1–14 pups only every other year.
- Moves to deeper offshore waters in winter and returns to shallow coastal bays in summer.
Where Sandbar Shark are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Sandbar Shark
Protected status
- Atlantic HMS recreationally prohibited (sandbar); commercial research-permit only.
- CITES Appendix II (Carcharhinidae — all requiem sharks, CoP19 effective Nov 2023).
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) is a species of requiem shark, and part of the family Carcharhinidae, native to the Atlantic Ocean and the Indo-Pacific. It is distinguishable by its very high first dorsal fin and inter-dorsal ridge. It is not to be confused with its similarly named shark cousin, the sand tiger shark, Carcharius taurus.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Sandbar Shark article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other sharks & rays on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Sandbar Shark?
Sandbar Shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) is an IUCN Endangered shark or ray regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Sandbar Shark?
Sandbar Shark is Carcharhinus plumbeus.
Is Sandbar Shark regulated for fishing?
Yes — Sandbar Shark has fishing regulations in 2 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Sandbar Shark?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Sandbar Shark along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.