CR

Smalltail Shark

Carcharhinus porosus

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The smalltail shark faces severe population declines primarily due to intensive fishing pressure throughout its limited range in the Indo-West Pacific. Commercial and artisanal fisheries target this species both directly and as bycatch, with its shallow coastal habitat making it particularly vulnerable to fishing activities. The species' slow reproductive rate and late maturity compound the impact of fishing mortality, preventing population recovery.

Threat summary

Habitat

Carcharhinus porosus inhabits shallow coastal waters, continental shelves, and nearshore marine environments in the Indo-West Pacific region. The species is typically found in waters less than 100 meters deep, often in areas with sandy or muddy bottoms.

Forest - Subtropical/tropical mangrove vegetation· majorMarine coastal/supratidal· major

Conservation measures underway

Species managementSpecies recoveryLegislationCompliance and enforcement

Other threatened species in CARCHARHINIDAE

VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining
CR

Pondicherry Shark

Carcharhinus hemiodon

Unknown
EN

Caribbean Reef Shark

Carcharhinus perezi

Declining
Sandbar SharkEN

Sandbar Shark

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Declining

Threatened in Barbados

VU

Broadstripe Goby

Elacatinus prochilos

Unknown
VU

Hildebrand's Goby

Gobiosoma hildebrandi

Declining
Blind SnailVU

Blind Snail

Cecilioides acicula

Unknown
Cross-Sculpture CrenellaVU

Cross-Sculpture Crenella

Crenella decussata

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Smalltail Shark classified as Critically Endangered?
Smalltail Shark is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The smalltail shark faces severe population declines primarily due to intensive fishing pressure throughout its limited range in the Indo-West Pacific. Commercial and artisanal fisheries target this species both directly and as bycatch, with its shallow coastal habitat making it particularly vulnerable to fishing activities. The species' slow reproductive rate and late maturity compound the impact of fishing mortality, preventing population recovery.
Where does Smalltail Shark live?
Smalltail Shark occurs in Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, and French Guiana (plus 14 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Smalltail Shark?
The main threats to Smalltail Shark are 5.4, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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