BLACKTIP SHARK (Carcharhinus limbatus)

Recognition: In the blacktip shark, the dorsal and pectoral fins, and the lower lobe of the caudal fin are blacktipped The anal fin is white. The first dorsal fin originates about the midpoint of the inner margin of the pectoral fin. It does not have an interdorsal ridite. The teeth have narrow triangular. erect. cusps with finely serrated edges.

Color:Color is dark gray to bluish gray above, with metallic hues in life, and with a band of the dorsal gray color extending rearward along the flanks. The undersides are white. The fins are black-tipped as explained above. In older specimens the black markings may be faded. Rarely almost unpigmented specimens are seen.

Size: Average size is about 150 cm (59 in). It grows to 180 cm (71 in)

Similar species: The lack of an interdorsal ridge and the black markings distinguish the blacktip shark from other requiem sharks in the area, except from the spinner shark. The spinner shark has the origin of the first dorsal fin over or posterior to the free rear tips smooth edged teeth in the lower jaw. and the anal fin is blacktipped in specimens larger than 70 em (28 in).

Biology: The blacktip shark inhabits shallow coastal waters and surface offshore waters. It ranges from New England (where it is rare) to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. It is a fast moving shark often seen leaping and spinning out of the water. It feeds on schooling fishes.

Economic importance: This is one of the most economically important species in the area. The species is targeted by many fishermen because of its high quality flesh, and because it can be caught in large schools that migrate close to shore. In recent times, the numbers of blacktip sharks appear to have decreased considerably, probably due to the vulnerability of the migrating schools.

Fishing: It is caught often in gill nets, in the very' shallow coastal waters of its nursery areas in the summer, and in deeper coastal waters during the spring and fall migrations. It is also a great sport fish, often leaping out of the water when first hooked.

Carcass: The carcass can be recognized by lack of an interdorsal ridge, by the noticeable band ofgray coloration extending into the white flanks, and a white anal fin. Most blacktips in southeastern  waters bear prominent circular erosion marks of parasites around the base of the first dorsal fin or in between the dorsal fins. References