Night Shark

About the Night Shark

The Night Shark is a sleek, medium-sized requiem shark, identifiable by its relatively large eyes adapted for low-light conditions and the absence of a ridge between its dorsal fins. It typically has a slender body with a long, pointed snout and dark grey or brownish coloration on its back, fading to a lighter belly. Adults can reach significant sizes, making them a formidable catch. Their overall appearance is typical of the Carcharhinus genus.

Source: FishBase & iNaturalist

Habitat

This species prefers the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope, typically dwelling in depths ranging from 50 to 600 meters (160 to 1,970 feet). It's known for its diel vertical migration, spending daylight hours in deeper waters before ascending to shallower depths at night.

Distribution

The Night Shark inhabits the temperate and tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Significant populations are found off the coast of northeastern Brazil, where they congregate around seamounts.

Behaviour

True to its name, the Night Shark is most active and ventures into shallower waters during the nighttime hours, likely to feed. During the day, it retreats to greater depths, indicating a preference for cooler, darker environments when not actively foraging. As a predatory shark, it likely hunts a variety of fish and cephalopods encountered during its nocturnal migrations.

Edibility

★★★★★

While edible, the Night Shark is not considered top-tier table fare. Its flesh can be somewhat coarse and requires proper handling to avoid a strong ammonia-like taste common in some sharks.

Lure suggestion

Targeting Night Sharks requires heavy-duty tackle, robust rods, and high-capacity reels spooled with strong braided line. Large, oily baits such as whole or cut mackerel, bonito, or tuna rigged on stout circle hooks are effective. Fishing deep drifts, especially over ledges or seamounts during nighttime hours, is key to intercepting these migrating predators.