Blacktip Reef Shark
Carcharhinus melanopterus
Sighting evidence at Manko Maru, Rabaul
Photo: Poseidon’s Adventure · CC BY-NC
Blacktip reef sharks patrol the open sandy areas surrounding the Manko Maru, using the wreck's silhouette as a landmark in their territorial range across the harbour shallows. They are typically seen as individuals or pairs, moving in wide arcs around the site before returning to deeper water. Their presence reflects the overall health of the local reef ecosystem and the harbour's recovering fish populations.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Blacktip Reef Shark is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.