Nova Zhang
The Puget Sound is a body of water in Washington state, and it is indeed home to several shark species. While shark attacks are extremely rare, it is important to be cautious when in shark-inhabited waters. In recent years, researchers have discovered new shark species in the Puget Sound, sparking further interest in the region's marine life and habitat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are there sharks in Puget Sound? | Yes |
| How many shark species are there in Puget Sound? | 6-10 |
| What are some shark species found in Puget Sound? | Sevengill, Bluntnose sixgill, Blue, Thresher, Soupfin, Salmon, Spiny dogfish, Basking, Pacific angel, Pacific sleeper, Tote shark, Catshark |
| Are Great White Sharks found in Puget Sound? | Uncommon, but possible |
| What is the likelihood of a shark attack in Puget Sound? | Very low |
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What You'll Learn
- Shark species in Puget Sound include spiny dogfish, sixgill, brown catsharks, and blue sharks
- Sevengill and tote shark species are newly discovered in Puget Sound
- Great white sharks are rarely spotted in Puget Sound
- Salmon sharks are commonly found in Washington state and can grow up to 10 feet
- Shark attacks in Puget Sound are extremely rare
Shark species in Puget Sound include spiny dogfish, sixgill, brown catsharks, and blue sharks
The Puget Sound, a body of water in Washington State, is home to several shark species. The most abundant shark in the Puget Sound is the Pacific spiny dogfish shark, which plays a critical role in the local ecosystem. Spiny dogfish sharks get their name from the sharp spines located in front of each of their two dorsal fins. They are typically small, with males reaching about 2.5 feet in length and females about 3 feet.
Another shark species found in the Puget Sound is the bluntnose sixgill shark. Sixgill sharks are circumglobal, found in both tropical and temperate waters. They are highly migratory and typically inhabit water depths greater than 90 meters (300 feet). In the Puget Sound, female sixgill sharks move into shallow waters to give birth. Sixgill sharks have a heavy, powerful body with a broad head and small florescent green-blue eyes. They range in colour from brown to tan to black, with darker spots on their sides.
Brown catsharks are also found in the Puget Sound, although they are considered rare. They are smaller than dogfish and are occasionally caught by fishermen in the northern Puget Sound. Over the past decade, state trawl surveys have captured 11 catsharks, mostly in Hood Canal and near Whidbey Island.
Blue sharks, which are found off every continent except Antarctica, are also listed as one of the shark species found in the Puget Sound. They can grow to 13 feet in length, with males being slightly smaller than females. Blue sharks are identified by their deep blue colour on top, lighter blue on the sides, and white on the belly.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of shark species appearing in the South Puget Sound, leading to continued research on the sharks and the Salish Sea. While the chances of a shark attack in Washington State are extremely low, experts recommend exercising caution when in shark-inhabited waters.
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Sevengill and tote shark species are newly discovered in Puget Sound
While Puget Sound is known to be home to several shark species, recent discoveries have added two more to the list: the Sevengill shark and the tote shark, also known as the soupfin shark.
In 2021, a recreational fisherman caught a sevengill shark in Puget Sound. As people were unaware of their presence in the area, it was initially misidentified as a sixgill shark, a protected species that cannot be removed from the water per Washington state fishing rules. This incident brought to light the presence of sevengill sharks in the region. Since then, researchers have tagged about a dozen sevengill sharks in Puget Sound. These sharks can grow up to 8-10 feet in length and feed on crabs, fish, seals, and sea lions.
The tote shark, or soupfin shark, is a rare species that has been formally documented in Puget Sound waters for the first time. This species is currently under review for placement on the federal Endangered Species List.
The discovery of these two new shark species in Puget Sound has sparked further public interest in the region's shark population and has led to ongoing research to determine their habits and how long they have been in the area. While the presence of sharks in Puget Sound may be concerning to some, it is important to note that shark attacks or encounters in Washington state are exceedingly rare.
In addition to the newly discovered Sevengill and tote shark species, other shark species known to inhabit Puget Sound include spiny dogfish sharks, sixgill sharks, brown catsharks, basking sharks, blue sharks, thresher sharks, and salmon sharks.
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Great white sharks are rarely spotted in Puget Sound
While there are indeed sharks in Washington state's Puget Sound, great white sharks are rarely spotted in these waters. In fact, according to a marine biologist's relative, no scientists have ever observed great whites in the Sound. However, there have been some rumoured sightings and circumstantial evidence of their presence. For instance, in 2002, a retired zoologist and fisherman reported that a massive great white shark, estimated to be 19 to 20 feet long, latched onto his catch and leapt out of the water in South Puget Sound near Tacoma. Additionally, there are reports of a great white shark carcass washing ashore on Vashon Island, and a dead seal or sea lion with bite marks indicative of a great white was found on Ocean Shores nine years prior to 2023.
It is important to note that while great white sharks may occasionally enter the waters of Washington's Pacific Coast, they are not known to inhabit Puget Sound. The presence of orcas in the Sound may be a deterrent for great whites, as orca attacks on this species of shark have been documented. Furthermore, great white sharks prefer warmer waters, which may make Puget Sound less appealing to them.
The waters of Puget Sound are home to several other shark species, including sevengill, blue, thresher, soupfin, and salmon sharks. Local researchers have recently discovered two new species: the sevengill shark and the tote shark or soupfin shark. These discoveries have sparked further research into the shark population in the area. While shark attacks are extremely rare in Washington state, with only two unprovoked attacks recorded since 1837, it is still important to exercise caution when in shark-inhabited waters.
To reduce the risk of a shark encounter, it is recommended to be mindful of your appearance in the water. Sharks are keen observers of contrast, so choosing the right swimsuit colour can make a difference. Avoiding bright colours in dark waters and vice versa can help you blend in and reduce the chances of being mistaken for a shark's primary food source. Additionally, being aware of your surroundings and noting any sudden changes in the behaviour of fish or bird groups can help you identify potential shark activity and take appropriate action.
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Salmon sharks are commonly found in Washington state and can grow up to 10 feet
There are several shark species in Washington state and the Puget Sound. While shark attacks are highly unlikely in Washington state, it is still important to exercise caution when in shark-inhabited waters.
Salmon sharks are one of the species that can be found in Washington state and the Puget Sound. They are fast-swimming, voracious predators that commonly eat salmon and herring, but they are also known to consume other fish such as sablefish, mackerel, anchovy, dogfish, flounder, rockfish, and sculpins, as well as squid, sea otters, and marine birds. Salmon sharks are opportunistic predators and will eat whatever is most abundant in their environment. They are usually between 6.6 and 8.6 feet long, but they can grow up to 10 feet in length and weigh up to 992 pounds. They have a large front dorsal fin and a smaller second dorsal fin, and their color ranges from dark bluish to medium gray to black on their backs, with white bellies covered in irregular dark blotches.
Salmon sharks are found in both open ocean and coastal waters, and have been found from the surface to 2,192 feet deep. They have an interesting migration pattern that is sexually segregated until summer or fall when males and females gather in the Gulf of Alaska or Japanese waters to mate. Females gestate 4-5 pups for 9 months and give birth in late spring and early summer. Salmon sharks are often mistaken for great white sharks due to their similar appearance, but there are some distinct differences. Unlike great white sharks, salmon sharks have a secondary tail keel and lateral tooth cusplets.
Salmon sharks are just one of the several shark species that can be found in Washington state and the Puget Sound. While shark attacks are rare, it is always important to be cautious and aware of your surroundings when in the water.
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Shark attacks in Puget Sound are extremely rare
While there are indeed sharks in Washington state's Puget Sound, shark attacks are extremely rare. In fact, only two unprovoked attacks have been recorded since 1837, the earliest available records. Both occurred in Grays Harbor County and neither resulted in death.
According to Dayv Lowry, a shark expert with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration West Coast Region, shark species known to be in Puget Sound include spiny dogfish sharks, sixgill sharks, brown catsharks, basking sharks, blue sharks, thresher sharks, salmon sharks, sevengill sharks, and tote sharks.
In recent years, there has been some excitement among researchers due to the discovery of two new shark species in Puget Sound. These include the sevengill shark and the soupfin shark, also known as the tote shark. The sevengill shark can grow to about 8-10 feet in length and feed on crabs, fish, seals, and sea lions. The soupfin shark, on the other hand, is considered critically endangered in parts of the world due to overfishing.
Despite the presence of these shark species in Puget Sound, shark attacks remain a rare occurrence. As Lowry noted, "We have not had a shark attack or shark encounter in the state of Washington since 1996, and it was on the outer coast. So, it’s just exceedingly rare here." This statement is further supported by Jessica Schulte and Ethan Personius, scientists from Oregon State University, who affirmed that shark attacks in Puget Sound are "exceptionally rare."
While the chances of a shark attack in Puget Sound are slim, it is always important to exercise caution when in shark-inhabited waters. Experts recommend being mindful of your appearance in the water, as many shark attacks result from mistaken identity. Sharks are keen observers of contrast, so choosing the right swimsuit color can help reduce the risk of being mistaken for their primary food source.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are several shark species in Puget Sound.
Shark species found in Puget Sound include spiny dogfish sharks, sixgill sharks, brown catsharks, basking sharks, blue sharks, thresher sharks, salmon sharks, sevengill sharks, and tote sharks.
Great white sharks are not known to inhabit Puget Sound, but there have been a few unconfirmed sightings and reports of great whites in the area.
