Australian Blacktip Shark

About the Australian Blacktip Shark

The Carcharhinus Tilstoni, also known as the Australian Blacktip Shark, is a species of requiem shark endemic to northern and eastern Australia.

Biology and Description:

The Australian Blacktip shark has a moderately robust body and a long, pointed snout. The anterior rims of the nostrils are slightly enlarged into triangular flaps. Its eyes are equipped with nictitating membranes. There are 32-35 upper tooth rows with a slender upright cusp and 29-31 lower tooth rows that are narrower and more finely serrated. The five pairs of gill slits are long. The pectoral fins are sickle-shaped with pointed tips. The dorsal fin is falcate and originates over the rear of the pectoral fin bases. The second dorsal fin is tall and positioned about opposite the anal fin. The caudal fin is asymmetrical, with a strong lower lobe and a longer upper lobe. The dermal denticles are diamond-shaped and placed closely together and almost overlapping. This species is bronze above and whitish below, with a pale stripe on the flanks.  It typically reaches 1.5-1.8 m long; the maximum length and weight on record are 2.0 m and 52 lb. this species reproductive cycle is viviparous placental. The average litter size is 3, with a range of 1-6. Their length at birth is of 60 m and pups are born in January after a 10 month gestation period. These sharks breed once each year. Males reach maturity at 110 cm TL and females at 115 cm TL. the maximum size recorded is 200 cm TL

Habitat:

The Australian Blacktip shark is found in northern Australia around the continental shelf, occurring close to the inshore to about 150 m. Its common range is from Thevenard Island in Western Australia to Sydney in New South Wales. Larger sharks tend to occur in deeper water. Tagging studies have found this species mostly moves only short distances along the coastline and rarely enters offshore waters. However, some individuals have been recorded travelling longer distances.

Conservation:

Together with C. Sorrah, this species is an important component of the northern Australian commercial shark fishery. This species is captured as both a target and as bycatch in Northern Australia finfish and prawn trawl fisheries.

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