Tyler Wynn
While sharks are not commonly associated with Washington state, several species can be found in its waters. In fact, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, there are six species of sharks in Washington, although one travel website reports there are 10 species that have been sighted in Puget Sound. While shark attacks are extremely rare, it is still important to be aware of their presence and take precautions when swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding in areas where sharks may be present.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shark Species in Puget Sound | Bluntnose sixgill sharks, Broadnose sevengill sharks, Thresher sharks, Salmon sharks, Blue sharks, Basking sharks, Spiny dogfish sharks, Brown catsharks, Tote shark/Soupfin shark, Great white shark |
| Number of Species | 6-10 |
| Size | 6-40 feet long |
| Weight | Up to 1,300 pounds |
| Color | Dark blue, white, brown, tan, black, silver-grey |
| Features | Long thresher-like tail, large dorsal fin, sharp teeth, six or seven gill slits |
| Food | Plankton, small schooling fish (herring, sardines, anchovies), crabs, seals, sea lions, squid, sea otters, marine birds |
| Behavior | Fast-swimming, voracious predators, generally curious and non-aggressive towards humans |
| Shark Attacks | Rare, with only 2 reported attacks in Washington state since 1837 |
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What You'll Learn
Shark species in Puget Sound
While shark sightings are rare in the Puget Sound, several species have been spotted in the region. In fact, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, there are six shark species commonly found in Washington state. However, Travel Safe-Abroad, a travel website, reports that there are 10 species of sharks that have been sighted in the Puget Sound.
Spiny dogfish sharks, also known as spiny dogfish, are one of the species found in the Puget Sound. They are known to inhabit the waters of the northern Puget Sound, where they are sometimes caught by fishermen. Another species, the sixgill shark, is well-documented in the region. Sixgill sharks can grow up to 18 feet in length and weigh 1,300 pounds. They are identified by their brown, tan, or black colouration and dark spots on their sides. Sixgill sharks are heavily protected by state officials and cannot be harvested.
In recent years, two new shark species have been discovered in the Puget Sound: the sevengill shark and the tote shark or soupfin shark. Sevengill sharks can grow up to 8-10 feet in length and are known to feed on crabs, fish, seals, and sea lions. Tote sharks, on the other hand, are considered critically endangered in parts of the world due to overfishing.
Other shark species known to inhabit the Puget Sound include the salmon shark, thresher shark, blue shark, and leopard shark. Salmon sharks are common off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, and can grow up to 10 feet in length. Thresher sharks are torpedo-shaped and have long, thresher-like tails, growing up to 20 feet in length. Blue sharks are identified by their thin bodies and dark blue colouration on top, with white bellies, and typically range between 6-10 feet in length. Leopard sharks are identified by their dark, saddle-like markings and leopard-like spots on their sides, and usually measure between 4 to 5 feet in length.
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Shark sightings
In recent years, there have been a handful of shark sightings in the Puget Sound that have garnered media attention. In 2013, an 8-foot-long salmon shark was spotted in Bellingham's Squalicum Harbor. Additionally, basking sharks, which can grow up to 33 feet in length, have been sighted in the San Juan Islands in 2009 and off Edmonds in 2014. These sharks are considered rare visitors to the area, as they are more commonly found off the Washington coast.
Thresher sharks have also been reported in the Puget Sound, with the only official record being a 12-foot shark caught off Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands in 1972. While thresher sharks can grow up to 20 feet in length, this particular specimen was smaller. Thresher sharks are not known to be aggressive, but they do possess long, sharp tails that can be used to stun their prey.
In addition to these sightings, there have been reports of great white sharks in the Puget Sound. While some people doubt the accuracy of these reports, there are credible accounts of a retired zoologist observing a large great white shark in the south Puget Sound area near Tacoma. This individual had expertise in marine life and described the shark as having a white underbody, which is a characteristic feature of great white sharks.
Other shark species known to inhabit the waters of the Puget Sound include sevengill sharks, blue sharks, soupfin sharks, and the Pacific spiny dogfish shark. These sharks can range in size from 6 to 10 feet in length and are occasionally caught by commercial fisheries or recreational fishers in the region. Despite their presence in the area, shark encounters in the Puget Sound are uncommon, and sharks generally tend to stay away from humans.
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Shark attacks
While several shark species are occasionally observed in the inland waterways of Puget Sound, they are not known to be aggressive towards humans. The chances of a shark attack are extremely low, but it is important to exercise caution when in shark-inhabited waters.
One of the shark species found in Puget Sound is the thresher shark, which can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh 1,100 pounds. They are commonly dark green, blue, or purplish-gray and have a long, thresher-like tail. Thresher sharks are not particularly aggressive, but their long, sharp tails can be used to stun smaller fish.
Another species is the salmon shark, which can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh almost 1,000 pounds. They are commonly found in Washington state and can be mistaken for great white sharks due to their dark blue back and white belly. Salmon sharks are known to feed on salmon, herring, sablefish, mackerel, anchovy, dogfish, flounder, sculpins, squid, sea otters, and marine birds.
In addition to these species, the basking shark, blue shark, sevengill shark, bluntnose sixgill shark, and broadnose sevengill shark have also been observed in Puget Sound waters. While great white sharks are not permanent residents of Puget Sound, there have been occasional sightings and reports of their presence in the area.
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Shark behaviour
The Sixgill shark, which can grow to between 16 and 20 feet in length, is the largest species to inhabit Puget Sound waters. This species is distinguished by its six gill slits, a feature that sets it apart from most other sharks, which typically have five. Sixgill sharks are known to move into shallow waters to feed and give birth. They can be found in a range of colours, including brown, tan, and black, with dark spots on their sides.
Another species, the Broadnose Sevengill shark, can grow up to 9.8 feet in length and weigh over 200 pounds. They are characterised by their large bodies, sharp teeth, and silver-grey or brown colouring, often with black and white spots on their fins. Sevengill sharks have a diverse diet, preying on crabs, fish, seals, and sea lions.
Salmon sharks are also known to inhabit the waters of Puget Sound. These sharks can reach lengths of up to 10 feet and are distinguished by their dark blue back and white belly, resembling the feared great white shark. Salmon sharks are voracious predators, feeding on salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovy, dogfish, flounder, sculpins, squid, sea otters, and even marine birds. They are known to give birth in California, and their pups then swim to Alaska, occasionally venturing into Puget Sound.
Thresher sharks, which can grow up to 20 feet in length, are torpedo-shaped and possess a long, thresher-like tail. They are not considered aggressive but can use their sharp tails to stun smaller fish. Thresher sharks are typically found in the open ocean but have been spotted in Puget Sound on rare occasions.
Despite the presence of these shark species in Puget Sound, shark attacks are extremely rare in Washington state. The last reported shark attack occurred in 1989, and there has not been a single incident in the years since, making the risk of shark encounters in the region exceedingly low.
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Shark conservation
Sharks are apex predators that play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our oceans and coastal ecosystems. They are a keystone species, meaning they have a disproportionately large impact on their environment relative to their number. As such, they are essential for stabilising food webs and acting as a barometer for ocean health. Therefore, fostering healthy shark populations is vital for creating resilient ecosystems capable of withstanding the impacts of climate change.
Despite their importance, sharks face significant conservation challenges due to overfishing and the high demand for shark products, such as shark fin soup. This has led to a decline in many shark populations and even endangerment for some species, such as the tote shark or soupfin shark. Shark conservation efforts are crucial to address this issue and ensure the long-term survival of these vital species.
One key organisation working towards shark conservation is the Shark Conservation Fund, a collaboration of philanthropists dedicated to restoring ocean health by halting the overexploitation of sharks and preventing extinctions. They aim to maintain the vibrancy of the world's oceans and address the global problem of declining shark populations. Additionally, organisations like NOAA Fisheries are committed to sustainable shark management and work towards ending overfishing and rebuilding overfished stocks.
Conservation measures include implementing restrictions on shark harvests, conducting research, assessing stocks, and working collaboratively with fishermen and regional fishery management councils. International collaboration is also vital, with the United States promoting the global conservation and management of sharks by working with regional fisheries management organisations and international bodies. The United States has also signed the memorandum of understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks, demonstrating their commitment to addressing this issue on a global scale.
By addressing the overexploitation of sharks and working towards sustainable management, these conservation efforts aim to protect shark species and preserve the health and stability of marine ecosystems worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are several shark species in Puget Sound.
The following shark species have been observed in Puget Sound: sixgill, sevengill, broadnose sevengill, blue, thresher, bluntnose sixgill, brown catshark, basking, salmon, spiny dogfish, Pacific angel, Pacific sleeper, great white, and tote shark (soupfin shark).
Shark attacks are highly unlikely in Washington state. The last reported shark attack in Washington took place in 1989, and was the only recorded shark attack in the 1900s. Since 1837, only two shark attacks have been reported in Washington state, and both of those were on the coast.
While the risk of a shark attack is minimal, it is important to be aware of the different shark species in the area and what they eat. Additionally, choosing the right swimsuit colour can help reduce the chances of being noticed by a shark. In darker waters, it is best to wear dark colours such as black, grey, or dark blue.
Local researchers recently discovered two new shark species in Puget Sound, namely the sevengill shark and the tote shark (soupfin shark). These species are being studied to determine their habits and how long they have been in the area.
