Blue sharks are a nomadic species and can travel hundreds of miles each year. They conserve energy by riding the North Atlantic Gyre on their annual migrations of around 3,000km. Blue sharks are considered to be dangerous and are thought to be responsible for attacks on ship and air disaster victims.
They often gather in large groups. Atlantic blue sharks migrate east across the North Atlantic using the Gulf Stream. Migrations of 2,220 to 3,145 km are common. This is the longest shark migration journey yet studied but there may be longer ones that we don't know about.
Blue sharks are voracious predators, feeding on schools of fish including anchovies, sardines, herring and squid. They swim slowly, although they are capable of rapid movement when hunting.
This species has a bright blue body, with a white underside. It has a pointed snout with long pectoral fins on the sides of a streamlined body. Blue sharks have triangular, serrated teeth and large eyes.
Blue sharks inhabit deep water in tropical, subtropical and temperate seas worldwide and are frequently spotted off the coasts of Ireland, Wales and Cornwall. Sadly, Blue sharks are considered to be endangered as a result of overfishing.
