Sphyrna media
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The Scoophead hammerhead shark faces severe population declines primarily due to intensive fishing pressure across its limited range in the tropical eastern Pacific. This species is particularly vulnerable to both targeted fishing and bycatch in gillnet and longline fisheries, with its distinctive head shape making it easily recognizable and often retained when caught. The species' restricted geographic distribution and suspected low reproductive rate compound these fishing pressures, leading to rapid population reductions.
Habitat
Sphyrna media inhabits tropical and subtropical coastal waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean, typically found in nearshore environments and continental shelf areas. The species occurs in waters from southern Baja California, Mexico, south to northern Peru, preferring warm oceanic and coastal marine habitats.
