Eusphyra blochii
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winghead_shark
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The winghead shark faces severe population declines primarily due to intensive fishing pressure across its Indo-Pacific range, where it is caught both as target species and bycatch in gillnet, trawl, and longline fisheries. Its distinctive hammer-shaped head makes it particularly vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear, while its slow reproductive rate and late sexual maturity severely limit population recovery. Habitat degradation in coastal nursery areas and the high value of its fins in international shark fin trade have accelerated population crashes throughout Southeast Asian waters.
Habitat
Winghead sharks inhabit shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and continental shelf areas throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, typically found at depths of 5-40 meters. They prefer muddy or sandy bottoms near river mouths and mangrove systems, which serve as critical nursery habitats for juveniles.
