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Blue Shark
'British Jaws'
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Every summer schools of Blue Shark turn up off Britains south and south west coasts, brought in with the North Atlantic
Drift. But where they go afterwards to breed is a mystery.
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Vital Statistics:
Scientific Name: Prionace glauca
Maximum Weight: 250lb
Average Weight: 75lb
Maximum Length: 3.8m
Life Span: upto 25 years
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Blue Shark characteristics:
The blue shark is easy to recognise. Its long slim, slimline body, large, upper lobe to the tail and
immensely
long, sickle shaped pectoral fins are characteristic. The back is deep blue, the sides a brilliant white blue and the belly a
translucent white. This vivid, distinctive colouring fades to a dull grey soon after death.
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Where to find Blue Sharks:
Mainly a surface dwelling shark, it lives to depths of 150m. Where it occurs is dictated by the temperature: it prefers
water between 7 - 16 degrees c, but can tolerate temperatures up to as much as 21 degrees c.
Feeding Habits:
The blue shark feeds mainly at night on various small fish and squid. In British seas its diet consists mainly of pilchards,
herring, mackerel, skippers and garfish. It also feeds on offal and rubbish from boats. Anglers attract sharks by hanging a bag of
mashed bits of oily fish known as 'rubby dubby' over the side, then dropping their bait into the scent trails in the water it creates.
Blue Shark Baits:
Bait in shark fishing consists of whole fish used either singly of the fish is large or in a bunch if the fish is small. The favourite bait is
mackerel which as a shoal fish represents the commonest natural food of sharks. However, pouting or pollack can also be used to just the same effect.
How to catch Blue Shark - Techniques at a glance:
Fishing for Blue Sharks is almost completely reserved to boats off the south english coast. Trolling is the most popular technique.
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