Posted on 21st Feb 2012 @ 12:13 PM

The Bull Shark - Carcharhinus leucas

There are about 400 species of sharks around the world, of these, around 180 species live in Australian waters. Although most sharks prefer the coastal waters, some like the Bull Shark can live in a wide range of habitats including coastal marine, estuarine & freshwater. In theAtlantic, it is found from Massachusetts to southern Brazil and fromMorocco to Angola. In the Indian Ocean it is found from South Africa to Kenya, India, and Vietnam to Australia. The Bull Shark is found to a depth of 150 metres (490 ft) but does not usually swim deeper than 30 metres (98 ft) and is the only species known to stay for extended periods in freshwater. It has been reported nearly 4000 km from the sea in the Amazon River system, and is known to breed in Lake Nicaragua, Central America but has a widespread distribution in tropical and warm temperate waters worldwide.  

A Bull shark is best recognised by its stout body, small eyes, short blunt snout, triangular serrated teeth in the upper jaw and a second dorsal fin about a third of the size of the first dorsal and there is no skin ridge between the two dorsal fins. Colouration is grey above, pale below, sometimes with a pale stripe on the flank and they have no fin markings as an adult. They can grow up to 3.5 metres in length, weighing up to 318 kilograms (700 lb) & have a bite force of up to 567 kilograms (1,250 lb). Female Bull Sharks are generally larger than the males.

Bull Sharks mate during late summer & early autumn in coastal lagoons, river mouths & estuaries. After a gestation period of 12 months they can give birth to four to ten live free-swimming young which are about 70cm (27.6in) in length and will take 10 years to fully  mature.    

Being an omnivore, the Bull Shark’s diet consists of mainly bony fish, including other bull sharks, dolphins, turtles, birds, crustaceans & echinoderms. In some areas they have been known to exist on terrestrial mammals including antelope, cattle, tree sloths, dogs and rats. They have also been responsible for attacks on humans & horses and use a bump & bite technique when attacking prey. 

Considered dangerous to humans, some consider the Bull Shark to be more dangerous than the White & Tiger Sharks as they are quite aggressive. The species is often found in murky water where a swimmer or dog could be mistaken for a struggling fish.

In Australia, most sharks can be legally caught by both commercial and recreational fishers, however there are a few species listed as 'threatened' under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

It is an offence to kill, injure, take, trade, keep or move a threatened species on Australian Government land or in Commonwealth waters without a permit.

Sharks on the threatened species list are:

Critically endangered species

• Grey Nurse Shark (Carcharias taurus) - East coast population

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  Speartooth Shark (Glyphis glyphis)

Endangered species

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  Northern River Shark (Glyphis garricki)

Vulnerable

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  Grey Nurse Shark (Carcharias taurus) - West coast population

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  Whale Shark (Rhincodon typhus)

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  White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)

Bull sharks are extremely territorial and attack animals within their territory. They are solitary hunters but occasionally hunt in pairs & can accelerate quickly through the shallow waters. They can be highly aggressive especially during mating season which is during late summer & early autumn. After a gestation of 12 months they can give birth to four to ten live free-swimming young that are about 70 cm (27.6in) in length and take 10 to reach maturity.  

When fishing for Bull Sharks in our local area, we use a wire trace of about 50 cms, a 15 - 20lb line, using a gang of three or four 4/0 hooks baited with a whole pilchard. Live bait such as catfish & mullet are good but can also be used freshly killed or dipped in tuna oil if using frozen bait.  

Always familiarize yourself with the area you are fishing in, what species inhabit the waters and be prepared.

In case of Emergency

Phone 000 in Australia for an Ambulance or Dial 911 in USA

Other useful emergency numbers (within Australia)

If phoning from a mobile with limited or no radio range or credit

Phone: 112

For Hearing impaired emergencies 

Phone: 106