White Shark

Protected at all times

White Sharks are protected at all times in all South Australian Waters under Section 71 of the Fisheries Management Act 2007.

According to the Act a person must not take, harm or harass a White Shark. The sale, purchase and possession of White Shark (including any body parts) is also illegal.

There is a penalty of up to $20,000 for individuals prosecuted in court.

You must treat White Sharks with caution as bites can be fatal.

Identifying a White Shark

Description

White Sharks have:

• a conical snout
• triangular serrated teeth
• dark grey, sliver grey to bronze on upper (dorsal) side
• a white underside
• black tips on the underside of large, white pectoral fins
• a large tail, pectoral and dorsal fin
• a distinct keel-like feature where the body joins the tail.

White Sharks are born at approximately 1.3 m in size and grow up to 6 m. They can live for up to 70 years.

Juvenile White Sharks (less than 3 to 4 m) mostly feed on fish and squid. As they grow, their diet changes to include other sharks, rays, and marine mammals.

Habitat