Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Carcharhinus longimanus
Recognizable by its long pectoral fins and rounded fins with white tips. Girthy body, broad head; coloration generally brownish or grey above, lighter below.
Solitary or small groups; strong swimmers; scavenger and predator. Often found far from land. Very vulnerable to long-line fishing.

Where divers may encounter it
Very remote deep water dives, blue water drift dives, offshore seamounts. Rare in reef dives.

Diving tips
These encounters are rare; divers should expect limited interaction. Always dive with experienced operator, ensure safety protocols. Use baited remote cameras or chum under strict ethical guidelines if allowed.

IUCN: Critically Endangered. Population trend: sharply decreasing.

Did you know?

Once among the most abundant open-ocean sharks, their populations have declined by over ~98% in some regions, pushing them close to collapse.

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