Blue Shark

Found in open ocean waters worldwide, this highly pelagic carcharhinid favors temperate to tropical seas and is frequently encountered in the upper water column, often cruising slowly near the surface with its long pectoral fins held horizontally. Look for the distinctive deep indigo-blue dorsum contrasting sharply with a white underside, and watch for the slender, elongated body and disproportionately long pectoral fins that set it apart from other open-water sharks. Best encounters occur during calm summer months in temperate offshore waters — particularly off the coasts of California, Cornwall, and the Azores — when warm surface conditions concentrate prey and bring individuals within range of pelagic charter trips targeting them with chum slicks.