Spinner Sharks

Similar to the nurse shark, spinner sharks don’t pose an immediate threat to humans. Although they are not considered dangerous to humans, the International Shark Attack File states that the spinner shark is responsible for 13 unprovoked attacks on humans, none being fatal.

The spinner shark is currently listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as "Near Threatened" throughout its range and "Vulnerable" in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. The IUCN explains that because this shark is frequently captured in commercial and recreational fisheries, it is highly vulnerable to fishing pressure.

Naming

• The spinner shark underwent numerous name changes including: Squalus brevipinna, Aprionodon brevipinna before it was finally named Carcharias brevipinna but most commonly known as spinner shark.
• Obtained the name spinner shark because of the way it jumps out of the water and because of the spinning motion in which they catch their pray.

Description

• Long, slender build with pointed snout and small eyes
• First dorsal fin is small and located above and behind the pectoral fin.
• Backs are gray-bronze
• Stomachs are white
• Dorsal, pectoral and anal fins all have black tips
• Average size is 6.4 feet and 123 lbs. Smallest spinner sharks are found in the northwestern Atlantic and the largest in the Indian Ocean and Indo-West Pacific.

Diet

• Primarily pelagic fish
• Prefer swarm fish such as sardines or herring.
• The shark swims rapidly through schools of fish, spinning along the axis of its body and snapping in all directions at the scattering fish

Distribution

• Spinner Sharks make seasonal migrations which is why they are found almost worldwide.
• Western Atlantic: North Carolina to the northern Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, Cuba and brazil
• Southern Mediterranean: Off the coast of North Africa, Cape Verde Islands, Sierra Leone and down to Angola
• Indian Ocean: Southeast Africa, Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden
• Spinners have also been spotted in the Western Central Pacific and Australia.