Species Profile No.7: The Dusky Shark (Carcharhinus obscurus) • The Dusky Shark is a large requiem shark; it is a close relative of some of the species that we have already covered, such as the sandbar shark and oceanic whitetip. Dusky sharks are opportunistic feeders, and will eat basically anything that they can! They eat bony fish, other sharks and rays, marine mammals, sea turtles, sea stars, crustaceans, dead animals, and even garbage. • The dusky shark is globally listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with an overall decrease in population. Males become sexually mature at 18-23 years of age, and females mature at 17-32 years. They are viviparous, with pregnancy lasting 22-24 months. Litters usually contain 6-12 pups, but some females give birth to as little as 3. Females usually wait a year after giving birth before becoming pregnant again, so they only give birth once every three years. This slow rate of reproduction makes them vulnerable to overfishing. • Dusky sharks have meat, fins, and liver oil that is considered extremely valuable, even in comparison to other shark species. As a result, they are targeted by large fisheries in many areas of its range. It is also frequently caught as bycatch due to unsustainable fishing methods like longlines and driftnets. • Dusky sharks have been added to some conservation and protection plans, but little progress has been made on actually protecting them. There is a management policy in the US and Canada that requires all dusky sharks be immediately released if captured accidentally, and this measure seems to be effective so far. The IUCN states that there needs to be more research on this species, as well as stricter policies and monitoring. • To help obscure species like the dusky shark, please support Shark Advocates International and the IUCN Shark Specialist Group •••••••••••••••••••••••• #duskyshark #shark #requiemshark #savesharks #helpsavesharks #savethesharks #stopoverfishing #stopsharkfinning https://www.instagram.com/p/BqIRwi5FwBK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ttozn5zf1zap