General Description

Body slender, streamlined, with two widely-spaced dorsal fins, the first much larger than the second. Tail with a long, broad, distinctly-notched upper lobe. Teeth with coarsely serrated outer margins. Uniformly slate grey to bronze above, paler below. To 2 m.

Biology

These free swimming sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning that the young are born shortly after hatching from eggs that develop inside the mother's uterus. Juveniles are occasionally found in coastal bays and estuaries, whereas adult School Sharks rarely enter bays. The School Shark is the most important commercial species in the southern Australian flake fishery. It is migratory and can live to more than 40 years. Although harmless, the sharp teeth could cause a nasty wound.

Habitat

In bays, along the coast and in offshore waters, to a depth of 500 m.

Open water

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Sharks and rays › Sharks

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor Midwater

Max Size

2 m

Diet

Carnivore

Harmful

Although considered harmless to humans, has the potential to bite.

Commercial Species

Yes

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Conservation Dependent
• IUCN Red List : Vulnerable