Oceanic whitetip shark
Carcharhinus longimanus
Sighting evidence at Princess Alice Bank, Azores — Faial and Pico
Photo: Lesley Clements · © all rights reserved
The oceanic whitetip was historically among the most abundant large animals on Earth but has declined by over 95% in the Atlantic since 1950 due to longline fishing. Princess Alice Bank is one of a small number of locations in the Atlantic where regular sightings remain documented, making it an important sentinel site for population recovery. Distinctive for the rounded white-tipped fins that give the species its name, oceanic whitetips are naturally curious and unhurried around divers — behaviour that reflects genuine boldness rather than aggression.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Oceanic whitetip shark is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.