Bull shark  (Carcharhinus leucas)

Although the bull shark is rarely the target species of commercial fisheries, it is often caught as by-catch throughout its range (1), and its abundance in inshore habitats make it a target of artisanal fisheries (2) (3). When captured, the meat is consumed by humans or used in fishmeal, the hide is used for leather, the fins are used in shark-fin soup and the liver is utilised for its vitamin-rich oil (2). In certain areas, such as the Gulf of Mexico and South Africa, the bull shark is also a popular game fish (2). The bull shark’s inshore and freshwater habitat not only makes it an easier target of fisheries, but these are habitats that are particularly vulnerable to habitat modification and pollution caused by human activities (1).

Whilst the IUCN consider there to be insufficient information to determine the extent to which the bull shark may be threatened, its proximity to human populations, with their hunting and environmentally damaging activities, is likely to be greatly impacting populations (1). Further research is evidently required, to determine the conservation status of the bull shark, and subsequently enable appropriate conservation measures to be implemented to ensure the future of this unique shark.