Species profile
Porbeagle
Common name: Atlantic mackerel shark
Cold-water mackerel shark with a pointed snout and dense torpedo shape.
Lamna nasus
Overview
The porbeagle is a cold-water mackerel shark with the dense, streamlined look typical of the lamnid family. It is a strong swimmer of temperate northern waters rather than a bottom shark, and its clean crescent tail makes it easy to separate from softer-bodied coastal species.
In this guide it is recorded from the North Atlantic, including European waters and the northwest Atlantic. Recorded maximum length: 3.5 m.
In the field, the clean lamnid outline, cool-water Atlantic setting, and firm crescent tail are the quickest cues.
Common nameAtlantic mackerel shark
Scientific nameLamna nasus
FamilyLamnidae
OrderLamniformes
Max length3.5 m
RegionNorth Atlantic Ocean, European waters, North West Atlantic
How to recognize it
Look for a firm torpedo body, pointed snout, and a strong crescent tail. Compared with many requiem sharks, the porbeagle looks denser and more mackerel-like.
Range and habitat
the North Atlantic, including European waters and the northwest Atlantic.
Field note
In the field, the clean lamnid outline, cool-water Atlantic setting, and firm crescent tail are the quickest cues.
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