Soupfin shark – State Wildlife Action Plan

Soupfin shark have slender bodies, a small second dorsal fin, long snouts and a large lobe on the upper part of their caudal fin. They can grow up to six feet five inches and weigh up to 100 pounds. They are dark gray above and white on the underside. They mature slowly. They spawn once a year in early summer and are ovoviviparous. Pups are born after a year gestation in their mother’s body. They may give birth to 6 to 52 pups. Soupfin shark exhibit a triennial migratory and reproductive pattern off the west coast, migrating great distances. Soupfin sharks eat fish, cephalopods, crustaceans and worms. They are known to form large schools of up to 50 animals. Soupfin sharks are vulnerable to overfishing. It has been targeted for its liver oil, meat, and fins. The IUCN has listed it as critically endangered.

Overview

Species Common Name Soupfin shark
Species Scientific Name Galeorhinus galeus
Federal Listing Status Proposed

Ecoregions

Nearshore

The Nearshore ecoregion includes a variety of habitats ranging from submerged high-relief rocky reefs to broad expanses of intertidal mudflats in estuaries and hosts a vast array of fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, birds, plants, and micro-organisms. This ecoregion encompasses the area from the outer boundary of Oregon's Territorial Sea to the supra-tidal zone, and up into the estuaries.

Special needs

Estuarine pupping and nursery habitats, nearshore migratory corridors, and seasonal foraging use of bays and estuaries by adults.

Limiting factors

Overharvest is a threat due to slow growth rates, long generation times, low productivity and long gestation time.

Data gaps

Determining how extensive use of Oregon waters is for this species. Migratory timing, seasonal presence and habitat use. Impacts of offshore energy development.

Conservation actions

Manage for population recovery. Fill data gaps. Education an outreach about this species.

Key reference or plan

Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan. Read here