Oceanic whitetip sharks are named after the distinctive white tips on their fins. Their range is throughout the warm latitudes of every ocean, most commonly in the open ocean. The underside of the oceanic whitetip is white while its back can be brown, grey, or grey-bronze. This coloration creates a countershading effect, which helps the shark remain undetectable by blending into the surrounding water column.
The oceanic whitetip usually spends its time in solitary. However, this species occasionally hunts in groups, helping other sharks catch schools of fish. The shark mainly feeds on pelagic cephalopods and bony fish. Although, it can also feed on stingrays, sea turtles, birds, gastropods, and crustaceans. The open ocean is vast, meaning that this species can eat whatever it may find.
Overfishing is the biggest threat to oceanic whitetip sharks. Its fins, meat, and oil are hot commodities, especially in Asian and African nations. Bycatch is another threat to oceanic whitetip populations. The sharks swim close to the surface and fall victim to tuna fisherman’s lures. To date, oceanic whitetip sharks have no catch limit.
In 2006, the shark made its first appearance on the IUCN red list as “Vulnerable”. However, a recent assessment finds that populations in the Pacific Ocean have declined by over 95%. NOAA Fisheries notes an 88% decline in the Gulf of Mexico due to commercial fishing. Therefore, in 2019, the IUCN reclassified the shark species as “Critically Endangered”.
Despite being reclassified as Critically Endangered, the Western and Central Fisheries Commission were unable to provide new protection for oceanic whitetips in December 2019. However, conservation efforts in the Atlantic are in place as the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna implemented a zero retention law in 2011. There is currently no individual organization dedicated to oceanic whitetip conservation. Although, pewtrusts, the marinebio conservation society, and shark advocates provide resources to learn more about conservation efforts for the species.
https://www.sharkophile.com/2019/01/05/sharkofiles-oceanic-whitetip-shark/