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Fish of South Padre Island

Narrowtooth shark

Ecology, encounter guidance and source context for narrowtooth shark.

Recognize and respond responsibly

Narrowtooth shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus) is covered here for identification and responsible encounters. The regional inventory records Narrowtooth shark in offshore, deep, nearshore settings; it does not establish a sighting at a particular access.

Where it may be encountered

The source describes offshore Gulf, nearshore Gulf settings. This is encounter guidance, not evidence of a current local sighting. Animal movement, weather and water conditions can change whether one is present, so this is not a sighting forecast.

Keep your distance

Protected encounter: do not target, retain, or disturb this animal; follow the linked authority for encounter guidance. TPWD lists this shark as prohibited; release it immediately in the water and use the linked rule for current handling direction.

Sources and current guidance

This guide draws on a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department source. Open Texas Parks and Wildlife Department source for current agency guidance and any rule that applies at the time and place of an encounter.