Sharks of the Gulf of Maine
BLUE SHARK
Common names: blue shark, blue dog
Description: Blue sharks are dark indigo blue on top, which blends to a lighter bright blue down their sides and ends with a bright white under- belly. Blue sharks have long slender bodies and pointed snouts. Their pec fins are long and sickle shaped. Blue sharks usually attain a length of 6 to 8 feet and weigh from 50 to 200 pounds. Large blues can grow to 12 feet in length and weigh over 400 pounds.
Where found: offshore
Similar species: none
Remarks: Blue sharks are a pelagic, migratory species. They sometimes swim together on the surface and are known to approach boats to get a free meal. Blue sharks are a popular sportfish because they are plentiful and are easy to catch. Most blue sharks are released when caught because of the poor quality of their meat as food. Chumming with herring, mackerel and menhaden works well when trying to attract blue sharks.
PORBEAGLE SHARK
Common names: porbeagle, mackerel shark
Description: Porbeagle sharks are dark blue gray with white on their lower sides and underbelly. A distinctive patch of white can be found at the trailing edge of their first dorsal fin. These sharks have a pointed snout, a torpedo shape and a crescent shaped tail. Porbeagle sharks can be distinguished from white and mako sharks by their teeth, which are smooth edged and have a little cusp present along each side of the base of each tooth, and by the presence of two caudal keels on their tail fin. These sharks can grow to 10 feet and weigh over 450 pounds.
Where found: inshore and offshore
Similar species: white shark, mako shark
Remarks: Porbeagle sharks are strong, fast swimmers. A good sportfish, they can put up a fight when hooked. Fishing methods include trolling or bait fishing while chumming. Favorite baits are mackerel, pollock, herring and squid. They make great table fare.
SHORTFIN MAKO SHARK
Common name: mako
Description: These sharks are a blue gray or cobalt blue on top, changing to light blue along their sides and snowy white on their belly and lower jaw. Shortfin mako sharks are large, streamline shaped fish that have a conical snout and a crescent shaped tail fin. They have long slender teeth, which curve inward and have no cusps at their bases or serrations along their edges. Shortfin makos can grow to 12 feet in length and weigh as much as 1,100 pounds.
Where found: offshore
Similar species: white shark, porbeagle shark
Remarks: Shortfin makos are pelagic, solitary and fast swimming. They are sought by fishermen because of their large size and great fighting ability. Makos are also known to leap up to 20 feet when hooked. Their meat is excellent to eat.
THRESHER SHARK
Common names: thresher, spindletail
Description: Thresher sharks are brown to black on top, blending to a shade of white below. These sharks are noted for the long length of their tail fin, the upper lobe of their tail accounting for over half of their body length. Their snout is short and they have a blunt rounded nose. A thresher shark's pectoral fins are long and sickle shaped. Their teeth are small, smooth edged and have a single sharp cusp. Thresher sharks normally measure around 10 feet. Average weight for these fish is close to 250 pounds with the heaviest weighing in at 700 pounds.
Where Found: offshore
Similar species: none
Remarks: Thresher sharks feed on small schooling fish such as herring, mackerel and menhaden. These sharks, usually working in pairs, use their long tails to frighten their prey into a group. Thresher sharks are very active fighters when hooked. Often they are caught by their tail because of the unique way in which they use their tail when feeding. Their meat is of good quality.