Smooth-tooth Blacktip shark

About the Smooth-tooth Blacktip shark

The Smoothtooth Blacktip Shark is a shark endemic to the Arabian Sea. It was just rediscovered in 2009. The species is rare and localised. They are caught in gill nets, long longline and trawl fisheries in inshore waters.

Carcharhinus species have had significant declines in the Arabian Gulf/Persian Gulf, Smoothtooth Blacktip Shark has been known from the southern Oman and eastern Yemen region and has been a prey of intensive fishing, which makes its population decline up to 50-80 per cent. Kuwait is known to have abundant numbers of these sharks but due to the habitat degradation and water management policies in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the numbers are declining. Modifications and loss of coastal habitats in the Gulf is a prominent concern for inshore species like these sharks.

Smoothtooth Blacktip Shark measures bewteen 75 cm to 165 cm/2 ft 5.5 in to 5 ft 5 in. There is limited number of specimens recorded and therefore minimum information is available on this species. Females reach maturity by 131 cm/4 ft 3.6 in and are viviparous, giving birth to live young, with litters of 4-6 embryos. Smoothtooth Blacktip Sharks are similar to Spottail Shark from Australia and hence it is estimated to live for 8.25 years of age.

A reduction in their number is suspected due to the current levels of exploitation. It is considered endangered due to increased risks in similar species. Further research and examining is required to understand the distribution, ecology, biology and population of Smoothtooth Blacktip Sharks.

It is believed to occur in inshore waters where it is captured in gillnet, line and trawl fisheries within its range. Its recent re-discovery and re-description means that historically it has likely been under-recorded, however reliable identification of Carcharhinus species since then indicates that this species is rare and localised.

Although there are limited data on its status, similar commercially important Carcharhinus species in the Arabian Gulf/Persian Gulf (hereafter referred to as the ‘Gulf’) have undergone significant declines. One of the areas in which the Smoothtooth Blacktip Shark is known from (southern Oman/eastern Yemen) has been, and continues to be, subject to intensive fishing targeted at sharks, suggesting suspected population declines of 50-80% are appropriate for this species. The other known centre of abundance around Kuwait is also subject to habitat degradation and change from water management practices in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Furthermore, the loss and modification of coastal habitats in the Gulf is a significant concern for inshore species such as this. A further population reduction is suspected over three generation lengths (2017-2042) based on current levels of exploitation. The limited geographic range of this species compared to other similar “blacktip” species increase the risks to this species. As such it is assessed as Endangered under criterion A2cd+3cd. Further research and monitoring are required to better understand the distribution, biology, ecology and population status of this species. The meat of this species may be sold fresh for human consumption at local markets in the region. In some countries, such as Oman and Yemen, the meat is cut into fillets, dried and salted for domestic sales or trade with neighbouring countries. Species with black fins such as this one have higher value fins and fetch higher prices (although still lower than hammerheads and guitarfishes) (Jabado et al. 2015).

There are no species-specific conservation measures in place. Some countries across its range have banned the targeted fishing for sharks (e.g., Kuwait and Saudi Arabia). Seasonal bans on shark fishing are in place in Iran (from March to August) and the UAE (February to June). The UAE, Qatar and Oman have banned trawling in their waters (since 1980, 1993 and 2011, respectively) while Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have seasonal trawl bans that might benefit the species. However, incidental catches occur in other fisheries (e.g., gillnetting). Finning has also been banned in the UAE, Oman and Iran, yet trade surveys indicate that some trade in the fins and meat of this species still occurs.

Research is needed to determine distribution, population size and trends in abundance to further assess status and any future conservation needs.

Effective monitoring of fisheries is required, as is the effective implementation and management of marine protected areas. An education program on sustainable fishing and bycatch mitigation is needed for fishers.

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