Sandbar Shark
Carcharhinus plumbeus
Also known as Thickskin shark, Brown shark
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
Sandbar sharks have brownish-gray bodies and white bellies. They have a tall dorsal fin on their back and large pectoral fins on either side of their body. Their snouts are rounded and shorter than the average shark. They have a ridge of skin along their mid back known as the interdorsal ridge .
Biology
Sandbar sharks are estimated to live approximately 30 years. Both males and females reach maturity around 13 to 14 years old. After 8 to 12 months of gestation, females give birth to live young in shallow, nearshore nursery grounds. Sandbar shark pups measure around 2 feet at birth. As adults, they can measure up to 8 feet long and weigh as much as 200 pounds.
Where They Live
Range Sandbar sharks are found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide. They are common along the eastern U.S. coast from Cape Cod to Florida. Their range also includes the Gulf of America and parts of the Caribbean. Habitat Sandbar sharks live along the ocean bottom in shallow coastal waters, including in bays, harbors, and estuaries. They occasionally travel offshore to depths of up to 810 feet.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S wild-caught from Cape Cod to the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico).
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 65 Species
Where Sandbar 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% |
Other Species in Genus Carcharhinus
3 close biological relatives of Sandbar Shark profiled in this catalogue — typically sharing similar anatomy, depth range, and fishery management.
| Species | Scientific name | Protein (g/100 g) | Omega-3 DHA (mg) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Blacktip Shark | Carcharhinus limbatus | 18.51 | 410 | Smart Choice |
| Blacknose Shark | Carcharhinus acronotus | 20.98 | 527 | Smart Choice |
| Finetooth Shark | Carcharhinus isodon | 20.98 | 527 | Smart Choice |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Sandbar Shark.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Sandbar 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
Is Sandbar Shark a good source of omega-3 fatty acids?
Per 100 g raw, Sandbar Shark supplies 316 mg of EPA and 527 mg of DHA — the two long-chain omega-3s most cited in cardiovascular research.
How long do Sandbar Shark live?
Live approximately 30 years.
Where is Sandbar Shark found?
Range Sandbar sharks are found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide. They are common along the eastern U.S. coast from Cape Cod to Florida. Their range also includes the Gulf of America and parts of the Caribbean. Habitat Sandbar sharks live along the ocean bottom in shallow coastal waters, including in bays, harbors, and estuaries.
Sustainability Story
Stock Structure
According to the 2018 stock assessment, the sandbar shark stock is overfished but not subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The stock is overfished, but the fishing rate established under a rebuilding plan promotes population growth.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gears used to harvest sandbar sharks have minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries manages sandbar sharks under the Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan . While retaining sandbar sharks is generally prohibited in federal waters, several commercial vessels are permitted to harvest sandbar sharks in the shark research fishery .
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.