SALMON SHARK (Lamna ditropis)

Color:	Dark gray top, blotchy patches on sides, white belly	Salmon shark are giant, powerful, streamlined predators adapted for high speed swimming.  Evidence indicates they are the predominant large predatory fish in the North Pacific.
Size:	Average 6.5 to 8 ft, 200 to 400 lbs, Up to 11 ft
Method:	Sea trolling, salmon bait
Gear:	Heavy-action rod and reel, halibut gear, steel cable leader
Range:	Prince William Sound, Gulf of Alaska
Season:	Peak during salmon migration, spring to fall
Taste:	Excellent, white meat like pork One fillet can weigh 80+ lbs
Record:	Non-officially kept, 800 – 900 lbs
Back Issues:	August 2002, “Brute Force”

Make no mistake, if you are going after salmon shark you are not going fishing as much as you are going hunting! Big game hunting, so be careful because a salmon shark is as dangerous out of the water as in it!

Appearance

Salmon Sharks have a dark gray back, blotchy dark patches on their sides and a white belly.  They also have longer than normal gill slits and black eyes. As with most sharks, they have a very toothy mouth, however, it is smaller in diameter than the width of their head.  Average size range appears to be between 6.5 to 8 feet and about 400 pounds. Some Salmon Sharks in Prince William Sound have been estimated to reach 11' and get close to 1,000 pounds.

Location

Appearing in many parts of the world including the North Atlantic, the North Sea, off England, Scotland, Iceland, Newfoundland, New England and corresponding latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, it goes without saying that the Salmon Shark is known by many different 'common' names. Depending on where you are in the world it can be called the Porbeagle, Bluedog, Salmon Shark, Mackerel Shark or Bonito Shark, but here we will concentrate on the shark as it occurs in Alaskan waters.

Inhabiting coastal and oceanic waters in the North Pacific, the Salmon Shark seem to prefer colder water (5-18c.) and occur from the surface to at least 500 feet. With limited research it is difficult to assess the exact seasonal distribution of the shark, but it seems there is some annual, North, South movement. Apparently female Salmon Sharks travel South to pup in the spring off Oregon and California.

Diet

Salmon shark are competitors for commercially important species including herring, sablefish and salmon.  Pink salmon are the shark’s favorite while in Alaska waters.  It has been speculated that the Salmon Shark is one of the fastest animals in the sea and judging from what it feeds on, it would have to be fast. Salmon, squid and herring are a few of the Salmon Shark’s favorite dishes, and they can all move pretty fast. With no air bladder they are able to change depths quickly. During a research project in Prince William Sound, researchers watched from cages as schools of salmon hid in the shadows of the boat and sharks loomed up from the murky depths at incredible speeds directly into the schools of fish!

Angling Methods

The Salmon Shark is an excellent sport fish, quickly growing in popularity partly because of large numbers of sharks increase the odds of a successful hunt and because they are fun, hard fighting fish when hooked.  Heavy-duty reels and rods are a necessity.  The line should be at least 80-pounds while the leader should consist of a steel cable.  A harness and belt also allow human combatants to use bigger muscle groups for better leverage during the fight.  For bait, use red or pink salmon carcasses and a very large J-hook.

Life History

The Salmon Shark is a member of the family 'Lamnidae', the mackerel sharks.  It is one of ten shark species known to occur in Alaskan waters.  Some close relatives include the 'Great White' and the 'Mako', but its closest relative would be its Atlantic counterpart, 'Lamna nasus'.

Salmon Sharks reproduce by producing eggs that hatch within the female body. They bear live young and the best research indicates they 'may' reproduce annually with as many as 5 pups. This would be unusual because most Northern species of sharks are generally slow to reproduce. Gestation is not well documented but may be around 9 months.  A predator before birth, cannibalism in the womb is common with the stronger pups eating the less developed embryos.  A pup will already be 2.5 feet in length at birth.

It has been estimated that the male reaches maturity at 5 years, the female at 8 or 9 years and they live at least 25 years.

Salmon Sharks have a high metabolic rate and maintain an internal body temperature of around 81 degrees F., possibly the highest body temperature of any shark. They are able to elevate their body temperature above that of the surrounding water by use of a heat exchange system.

Fish Alaska Magazine