Habitat
Coastal waters down to 100 m, often near sardine and pilchard runs.
All species
Copper Shark
Carcharhinus brachyurus
Not aggressive
Also known as the bronze whaler — a robust, coppery-grey requiem shark.
Maximum size
3.4–3.7 m
Aggressiveness
Not aggressive
Ecology
Forms large feeding aggregations during baitfish migrations.
Feeding
Cooperative hunter of schooling pelagic fish and cephalopods.
Behaviour
Generally cautious around humans, but can become assertive in feeding aggregations.
Safety notes
Few attacks worldwide; behaviour can change around speared fish or large baitballs.
Conservation status
IUCN: Vulnerable.
Sources & Citations
Data compiled from peer-reviewed and authoritative open sources. Last reviewed 2026.
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status for each species.
- The Shark Trust — Species Database
Biology, ecology and identification.
- FishBase
Maximum sizes, distribution and life-history data.
- Florida Museum — International Shark Attack File
Documented species behaviour around humans.
- Nature Gibraltar / Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society
Local marine fauna records around the Strait.