Critically Endangered· population decreasing· assessed 2019

Oceanic whitetip shark

Carcharhinus longimanus

Sighting evidence at McKean Pass

Once among the most numerous large ocean animals on earth, oceanic whitetip populations have collapsed by over 90 percent in a single human lifetime due to the shark fin trade and bycatch. The Phoenix Islands is one of the very few locations where sightings in the blue water remain a realistic possibility.

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.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Oceanic whitetip shark

Evidence at this site

Also seen at other sites