Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Sighting evidence at Aljezur Seamount, Algarve
Thresher sharks use their elongated upper tail lobe to stun schooling fish and are occasionally observed circling the seamount during summer when mackerel and sardine schools are at peak abundance. They are a IUCN Vulnerable species making their Algarve presence a significant conservation signal for the health of this little-visited offshore site. Encounters are typically brief — a single pass at depth — but unforgettable.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Common Thresher Shark is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.