Shark - Lemon

Dispatch Method:

Beware of the sharp teeth of sharks when handling them. The eating qualities of lemon sharks less than 120 cm (4 feet) long can be improved by killing them humanely by iki jime or a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding. Lemon sharks larger than around 120 cm (4 feet) long should be dispatched with a captive bolt tool or firearm (with appropriate safety precautions).

Fish Description:

• A large shark, yellowish to light brown above becoming white below with a broad blunt snout, relatively small eyes and large triangular pectoral fins.
  
• Second dorsal fin nearly the same size as the first dorsal.
  
• Females mature at around 220-240 cm/7-8 feet long and can live for at least 25 years, producing litters of 1-14 young.
  
• Lemon sharks eat a wide variety of fishes, sharks, and rays.
  
• This species is dangerous and responsible for fatal attacks on humans.

Fish Distribution:

• Lemon sharks occur throughout tropical and warm temperate oceans in both the Atlantic (N. brevirostris), and Indo-Pacific (N. acutidens). Juveniles can occur in estuaries up into freshwater reaches, while adults frequent shallow inshore waters as well as offshore at depths of at least 1000 m (3000 feet).

Fish Size Common Length:

Common between 180 and 270 cm (6-9 feet) long, maximum size at least 380 cm (12.5 feet) long and 200 kg (450 pounds).