Size and shape
A slim pelagic shark averaging around 3.1 m (10 ft).
SharksNear Threatened
Blue Shark
Prionace glauca
A slim, wide-ranging pelagic shark averaging about 3.1 m that migrates long distances and is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.
Great blue shark
Species Guide
What to know about blue sharks
A clean field guide focused on habitat, identification, behavior, and conservation context without burying the useful parts.
The blue shark (Prionace glauca) is a requiem shark in the family Carcharhinidae and the only species in the genus Prionace. It inhabits deep waters in the world’s temperate and tropical oceans and prefers cooler waters. Adults average around 3.1 m (10 ft). Blue sharks undertake long-distance migrations (for example, between New England and South America). They are generally lethargic but capable of very quick movement. Blue sharks are viviparous and are noted for very large litters, commonly 25 to over 100 pups. Their diet consists primarily of small fish and squid, though they can take larger prey. Known predators include killer whales and larger sharks such as tiger sharks and great white sharks. They are among the most abundant pelagic sharks, and large numbers are taken as fisheries bycatch on longlines and nets. Fossil teeth attributable to this species are known from Miocene and Pliocene deposits in multiple regions.
Listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN; substantial numbers are removed by fisheries as bycatch on longlines and nets.
Generally lethargic but capable of very quick movement; undertakes long-distance migrations.
The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Bay of Islands, Cape Town, Faial (Azores) and countries such as Greece, New Zealand, Portugal for divers building trips around blue sharks.
