Species profile
Silky Shark
Carcharhinus falciformis
Identify Silky Shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app. Plus current fishing rules across 3 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Silky Shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) is an IUCN Vulnerable shark or ray regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Bag limits are uniform at 1 per angler across the 2 regulating jurisdictions.
Confirmed by 17 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, Hawaii, and Texas 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
- Named for the unusually smooth, silky texture of its skin compared to other sharks.
- Can reach up to 11 feet in length and weigh up to 350 pounds.
- One of the most abundant oceanic sharks found in tropical seas worldwide.
- Frequently follows tuna schools, making it a common bycatch in commercial tuna fisheries.
- Long, curved pectoral fins help it maneuver efficiently in open-ocean currents.
Where Silky Shark are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Silky Shark
Protected status
- Atlantic HMS prohibited — must release unharmed.
- 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 silky shark, also known by numerous names such as blackspot shark, gray whaler shark, olive shark, ridgeback shark, sickle shark, sickle-shaped shark and sickle silk shark, is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, named for the smooth texture of its skin. It is one of the most abundant sharks in the pelagic zone, and can be found around the world in tropical waters.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Silky Shark article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other sharks & rays on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Silky Shark?
Silky Shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) is an IUCN Vulnerable shark or ray regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Silky Shark?
Silky Shark is Carcharhinus falciformis.
Is Silky Shark regulated for fishing?
Yes — Silky Shark has fishing regulations in 3 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 Silky Shark?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Silky 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.