Blue Shark | Oceana
Home / Blue Shark
Marine Life Encyclopedia > Sharks & Rays > Blue Shark

Blue Shark

Blue sharks are one of the most wide-ranging shark species in the world, found in all oceans except the Arctic, in both temperate and tropical waters, from the surface down to depths of about 999m (3,280 ft). 

 

The blue shark gets its name from the striking blue coloration on their back, giving them a distinctive appearance. The contrast between their white underbelly and dark blue back is called countershading and helps provide camouflage for the shark as it swims in the open ocean. Reaching maximum lengths of around 3.8m (12.5 ft) long, the blue shark’s slender body and elongated tail fins help make them one of the fastest sharks in the world.  

Using their speed they prey on a wide variety of prey, including small bony fishes, such as sardines, and cephalopods like squid and octopus. Known to be more social than other pelagic sharks, groups of blue sharks often come together to feed on large schools of prey, and individual sharks will use body language to signal aggression between each other. 

Blue sharks reach maturity at about five years old, and until then, juveniles typically stay in pupping areas. Males initiate mating by biting a female between her two dorsal fins, which is why females have significantly thicker skin in this area than males do. Females give birth to live pups that are each around 15 inches long, with litter sizes averaging at 25-50 pups, though much larger litters have been documented. 

 

 

Despite being considered one of the most abundant and resilient shark species, blue shark populations are thought to be decreasing. Currently, blue sharks are listed as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List, largely due to overfishing. 

Overfishing 

It is estimated that up to 10 million blue sharks may be caught every year. Of those, 3 million are thought to be discarded as bycatch. But without proper management, this shark is at serious risk of overexploitation. This species, which was once considered an accidental catch in tuna and swordfish fisheries, now requires direct conservation and management measures. 

Shark fin trade 

A major reason blue sharks are targeted is for their meat and fins. Blue sharks make up 36% of all traded shark meat and 41% of all traded shark fins. Three-quarters of all oceanic shark and ray species are threatened with extinction, largely due to overfishing, and without proper management, the blue shark may become an addition to that list. 

 

 

Oceana is taking action to end the cruel and wasteful global trade in shark fins, meat, and other products. Following campaigning by us and our allies, the shark fin trade has already been banned in the multiple countries, including the United States and Canada. We’re also advocating for stronger fisheries management to reduce overfishing and the number of sharks killed as bycatch.

 

 

 

GET INVOLVED

DONATE TODAY

SUPPORT OUR WORK TO PROTECT THE OCEANS BY GIVING TODAY

With the support of more than 1 million activists like you, we have already protected over 4 million square miles of ocean.

DONATE

TAKE ACTION NOW

SUPPORT POLICY CHANGE FOR THE OCEANS

Decision-makers need to hear from ocean lovers like you. Make your voice heard!

ACT NOW

VISIT OUR ADOPTION CENTER

SYMBOLICALLY ADOPT AN ANIMAL TODAY

Visit our online store to see all the ocean animals you can symbolically adopt, either for yourself or as a gift for someone else.

SHOP THE STORE

DOWNLOAD OCEAN ACTIVITIES

HELP KIDS DISCOVER OUR BLUE PLANET

Our free KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) empower children to learn about and protect our oceans!

LEARN MORE

FEATURED CAMPAIGN

Save the Oceans, Feed the World

We are restoring the world’s wild fish populations to serve as a sustainable source of protein for people.

Learn More

MORE CAMPAIGNS

Protect Habitat

Bycatch

Plastics

View All

CONTACT

Oceana International Headquarters
1025 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036 USA

General Inquiries
+1(202)-833-3900
info@oceana.org

Donation Inquiries
+1(202)-569-4895
wavemaker@oceana.org

Press Inquiries
+1(202)-833-3900
press@oceana.org

OCEANA'S EFFICIENCY

BECOME A WAVEMAKER

Sign up today to get weekly updates and action alerts from Oceana.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT WITH A DONATION

We have already protected over 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done.

Donate Now

QUICK LINKS: