The bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo) is a small, hammerhead-shaped shark species found in the warm coastal waters of the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans, particularly around the Americas. Recognizable by its shovel-shaped head, the bonnethead is a relatively small shark, typically reaching about 3 to 4 feet in length. The primary countries involved in bonnethead fishing are the United States, Mexico, and several Caribbean nations, where the species is harvested both commercially and recreationally. In the U.S., especially in the Gulf of Mexico and along the southeastern Atlantic coast, bonnetheads are caught for their meat and as bycatch in fisheries targeting other species. Mexico also has a notable bonnethead fishery, with the shark being consumed locally and sometimes exported. While not a major global commercial species, bonnethead sharks are important in regional fisheries, and sustainable management is crucial due to their vulnerability to overfishing and habitat degradation.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.