The whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) is a slender, medium-sized shark distinguished by the prominent white tips on its dorsal and caudal fins, and is commonly found in shallow coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific region. This species is not typically targeted by large-scale commercial fisheries but is often caught as bycatch or in small-scale artisanal fisheries for its meat, fins, and liver oil. The top countries involved in whitetip reef shark fishing include Indonesia, India, and several Pacific Island nations such as Papua New Guinea and the Philippines, where local demand and export markets for shark products drive the harvest. Overfishing and habitat degradation have led to significant population declines, prompting conservation concerns and increased regulation in some regions, though enforcement and monitoring remain inconsistent.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.