Bonnethead Shark
Sphyrna tiburo
Also known as Bonnet hammerhead, Bonnet shark, Bonnetnose shark, Shovelhead
Culinary Profile
Sweet, meaty taste.
Thick, large flakes and moist flesh.
Shark is a low-fat source of protein and is high in selenium and vitamins B6 and B12.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Bonnethead sharks have gray, tan, or greenish upper bodies and paler bellies. Their backs and sides are often scattered with small dark spots. Their eyes are located on the rounded lobes of their shovel-shaped head, increasing their field of vision.
Biology
Female bonnethead sharks are typically larger than males. The species can reach an average of 3 to 4 feet, with a maximum length of about 5 feet. The heaviest recorded weight for a bonnethead shark is 24 pounds. Bonnethead sharks are the only shark species that have a different head shape depending on their sex.
Where They Live
Range In the Atlantic Ocean, bonnethead sharks are primarily found off the coast of North Carolina to southern Brazil, including the Gulf of America and Caribbean Sea. Although it’s rare, they have been seen as far north as Rhode Island. In the Pacific Ocean, the species’ range spans from southern California to Ecuador. They are rarely seen north of San Diego.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from North Carolina to Florida, the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), and Caribbean Sea.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
In 2022, commercial landings of bonnethead sharks totaled just over 2,800 pounds. *Executive Order 14172, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” (Jan. 20, 2025), directs that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America. On August 7, 2025, NOAA Fisheries and the National Ocean Service amended regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect the renaming. The name change did not result in any changes to, and had no effect on the applicability or enforceability of, any existing regulations. This website continues to use “Gulf of Mexico” when quoting statutes or previously published materials.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 65 Species
Where Bonnethead Shark ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choline | 65 mg | 12 / 65 | 82% |
| Protein | 20.98 g | 13 / 111 | 88% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 316 mg | 17 / 104 | 84% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 527 mg | 21 / 104 | 80% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Iron | 0.84 mg | 32 / 111 | 71% |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 IU | 45 / 54 | 17% |
| Phosphorus | 210 mg | 48 / 111 | 57% |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.49 µg | 56 / 106 | 47% |
| Zinc | 0.43 mg | 71 / 111 | 36% |
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Bonnethead Shark, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in the water column does Bonnethead Shark live?
Range In the Atlantic Ocean, bonnethead sharks are primarily found off the coast of North Carolina to southern Brazil, including the Gulf of America and Caribbean Sea. Although it’s rare, they have been seen as far north as Rhode Island. In the Pacific Ocean, the species’ range spans from southern California to Ecuador. They are rarely seen north of San Diego.
How much protein is in 100 g of Bonnethead Shark?
A 100 g raw serving of Bonnethead Shark provides 20.98 g of protein — roughly 42% of the FDA 50 g daily value.
How deep does Bonnethead Shark live?
Bonnethead Shark inhabits depths of 3 to 4 feet. Range In the Atlantic Ocean, bonnethead sharks are primarily found off the coast of North Carolina to southern Brazil, including the Gulf of America and Caribbean Sea. Although it’s rare, they have been seen as far north as Rhode Island.
Is Bonnethead Shark a lean fish or a rich one?
At 130 kcal per 100 g raw, Bonnethead Shark counts as moderate on the fattiness spectrum — useful context when deciding cooking method (lean species suit poaching; rich species hold up to high-heat sear).
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught bonnethead shark is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are two bonnethead shark stocks: an Atlantic stock and a Gulf of America stock. A stock assessment for one overarching bonnethead shark stock was attempted in 2013 (SEDAR 34). However, because it was determined there were actually two stocks, the results of that assessment could not be used to support stock status.
Population
The Atlantic and Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico) stocks have not been assessed. Although these population levels are unknown, management measures are in place.
Fishing Rate
Overfishing status is unknown, but catch is at recommended level.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gears used to harvest bonnethead sharks have minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries manages sharks in federal waters under the Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan . Commercial, recreational, and for-hire fishermen must comply with permit requirements, trip limits, gear restrictions, finning prohibitions, closed areas, and reporting requirements to land bonnethead sharks.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 21 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.