Marine Life

Blue Shark
(Prionace glauca)
Courtesy of Tom Haight

Long slender bodies and snouts, colored in a beautiful blue with white bellies, these sharks are a common offshore species along our coast. They can reach 12 feet in length, but rarely attain 7 feet along this coastline. Primarily a nocturnal feeder, it's preferred prey are squid and schooling fish. There is some evidence to show the blue shark travels closer to shore at night. It is a curious species, often checking out divers. Blues are not a highly aggressive species, although they have been known to bite divers in baited situations. The Blue Shark is preyed upon by Mako Sharks, sea lions, and elephant seals. It is not a desirable species for sport fisherman because they spoil very quickly and their meat has a strong ammonia-like taste.