Shark - Black Tip
name: Shark - Black Tip
other names: N/A
The Blacktip shark is dark gray/blue to brown above, and white below with a distinct white band across the flank. Blacktip sharks are stout-bodied with a moderately long and pointed snout. The first dorsal fin, positioned slightly posterior to the pectoral fin insertion, is high and has a narrowly pointed apex. The pectoral fins are fairly large and pointed.
The Blacktip shark inhabits inshore and offshore waters, but is not a truly pelagic species. They are often seen near shores around river mouths, bays, mangrove swamps, and in other estuaries, though they do not penetrate far into freshwater. They can be found offshore and over deep waters near coral reef drop offs, but primarily stay in the upper 100 feet of the water column.
Blacktip shark primarily feeds on small schooling fish such as herring, sardines, mullet, and anchovies, but they also eat many other bony fish including catfish, groupers, jacks, snook, flatfishes, triggerfish, and porcupine fish. They are also known to consume crustaceans and squid.
Development in the Blacktip is viviparous, meaning they give birth to live, free-swimming young like others in the carcharhinid family. Males reach sexual maturity between 4.4 and 5.9 feet (135-180 cm). Females reach maturity at 3.9-6.3 feet (120-190 cm). Gestation last 10-12 months, and they give birth in late spring and early summer to 1-10 pups. Females give birth in inshore estuarine nursery grounds where the young remain for the first years of their lives.
Blacktips can be taken fairly close to shore. Tackle and lines in the 20- to 30-pound class are generally sufficient for this species, though wire leaders are necessary due to the shark’s sharp teeth. Drifting or slow trolling with fresh cut bait is a common strategy, and artificial lures are used infrequently. Chumming with chunked menhaden or mackerel is often used to attract these and other sharks into fishing range. Because of their size and sharp teeth, extreme caution is necessary when boating any shark.
