IDENTIFICATION
This robust-bodied shark has a rounded blunt snout. The first dorsal fin is high and there is no ridge between the two dorsal fins. The colour is grey with a pale underside.

DISTRIBUTION
Zambezi sharks occur in tropical and warm temperate waters around the world and inhabit coastal waters, river mouths and estuaries, and may be found in many large rivers.

FEEDING
Bony fish, small sharks and rays make up most of its diet.

REPRODUCTION
Both sexes mature between 20 and 21 years and breeding takes place north of the Tugela River. Mating occurs in summer. After a gestation period of just less than a year, 10 to 12 pups are born live in summer. St Lucia Estuary serves as an important nursery area for the young.

BEHAVIOUR
These powerful predators are capable of feeding in dirty water and are dangerous to bathers.

GROWTH
This species may attain a length of 320 cm and weigh over 300 kg. They can live up to 32 years.

FISHERY
Very few are caught by commercial or recreational fishers. A mean annual catch of 51 Zambezi sharks, primarily adolescents are taken in the shark nets off KZN beaches.

MANAGEMENT

• Recreational anglers are allowed 10 per person per day.
  
• There is no size limit and no closed season.
  

This species is considered to be extremely vulnerable to over exploitation due to late maturity and low fertility rates as is the case with most top predators. There has been a declining trend in the catch rate and average size of Zambezi sharks caught in the KZN shark nets over the years, which may be an indication that the sharks are over-exploited. The Zambezi shark is relatively sedentary animal and it is possible that the shark nets have caused local depletions of sub-populations in the vicinity of net installations.
Zambezi sharks can travel up rivers like the Zambezi river, for long distances and is concidered one of the most dangerous sharks to humans.

Rudy van der Elst and Bruce Mann are acknowledged for the scientific information on which this web page is based.