Porbeagle shark

Lamna nasus

  • Where it lives:

  • Non native species

About

This large shark is usually found in deeper water, where it hunts a variety of smaller fish including mackerel, whiting and herring, as well as octopus, squid and cuttlefish.

They are strong swimmers and tagging studies have shown that they can travel huge distances. One porbeagle shark tagged in Irish waters was later found as far away as Newfoundland in Canada!

Porbeagle sharks are endothermic, which means they can maintain a higher body temperature and keep themselves warmer than the surrounding water. This is a big advantage for them as it allows them to live and hunt in colder seas than many other sharks.

How to identify

The porbeagle shark is a brilliant ‘mackerel’ blue with a white belly and characteristic white mark at the rear base of the dorsal fin. It is a robust but streamlined shark with a pointed snout and large black eyes without protective lids.

Did you know?

The porbeagle shark is often mistaken for the great white shark, leading to claims of great white sharks in UK waters. However, the great white has never been recorded in UK seas. Porbeagle sharks are half the size of a great white shark.

How people can help

The Wildlife Trusts are working with sea users, scientists, politicians and local people towards a vision of 'Living Seas', where marine wildlife thrives. Do your bit for our Living Seas by supporting your local Wildlife Trust or checking out our Action Pages.