Taxonomy
Large mackerel sharks of the family Alopiidae, genus Alopias.
SharksVulnerable
Thresher Shark
Large mackerel sharks of the genus Alopias found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide and comprising three extant species.
Alopiidaethresher sharks
Species Guide
What to know about thresher sharks
A clean field guide focused on habitat, identification, behavior, and conservation context without burying the useful parts.
Thresher sharks are large mackerel sharks in the family Alopiidae and genus Alopias. The family contains three extant species. They occur in all temperate and tropical oceans of the world. All three species have been listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN since 2007. Thresher sharks are sought as big-game sport fish and are also hunted commercially for their meat, livers (for shark liver oil), skin (for shagreen) and fins. Despite being active predatory fish, they do not appear to be a threat to humans.
All three thresher shark species have been listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN since 2007; they are targeted by both sport fisheries and commercial exploitation for meat, livers, skin and fins.
Active predatory fish.
The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Fuvahmulah, Derawan Islands, Nusa Penida and countries such as Philippines, Maldives, Indonesia for divers building trips around thresher sharks.
Identification
