Many species of shark can be found in Canadian waters from large Basking Sharks to smaller species. These large cartilaginous skeleton fish can be seen coastally in the water and sometimes wash up on beaches as well.
Basking Shark
• Up to 10 metres in length.
• Up to five tons in weight.
• Found in temperate waters of the world.
• Large conical snout.
• First dorsal fin is rounded on top, set further back on body and at a 45° degree angle.
• Five massive gill slits that almost encircle the head.
• The second largest fish in the world (second to the whale shark), but eats plankton as a filter feeder.
White Shark
• Up to eight metres in length.
• Circumglobal distribution, up to sub-polar regions.
• Lead grey, brown/grey and black in colour.
• Large triangular-shaped first dorsal fin.
• Trailing edge of the first dorsal has unique markings or serrated edge.
• Large, triangular shaped teeth with serrated edge.
• Although popularly feared as the Great white shark, scientific research is reducing their status of mindless killing machines.
• Endangered in Canada under the Species at Risk Act
Porbeagle Shark
• Up to 2.5 metres in length.
• Up to 135 kilograms.
• Found in the northern temperate oceans of the world.
• Blue-grey in colour, with a distinctive white patch on the trailing edge of the first dorsal fin.
• Caudal (tail) fin has both primary and secondary keel.
Shortfin Mako Shark
• Up to 3.9 metres in length.
• Found in tropical to warm temperate waters.
• Metallic indigo blue in colour.
• Distinct primary keel.
• Second dorsal is much smaller than the first dorsal; First dorsal is rounded in juveniles.
• Shortfin makos are the fastest of all shark species, reaching speeds of 74 kilometres an hour.
Common Thresher Shark
• Up to six metres in length.
• Found in temperate oceans of the world.
• Brown, gray, blue-gray or black in colour.
• Extremely large upper lobe of the caudal fin.
• Short stubby snout.
• Second dorsal fin is much smaller than the first dorsal fin.
Blue Shark
• Up to 3.8 metres in length.
• Found in tropical to warm temperate waters.
• Deep indigo blue colour with distinct countershading; dark blue on top, bright blue on the sides and white underneath.
• Long slender body with long pectoral fins.