Are There Sharks In The Black Sea? 5 Species You Might Find

Yes, you’ll find sharks in the Black Sea, though fewer than in other seas. The spiny dogfish is most common, while the small-spotted catshark occasionally visits from the Mediterranean. The critically endangered angelshark appears near Turkey’s coast, and the mysterious longnose spurdog inhabits deeper waters. The smooth hammerhead sometimes enters through the Bosporus Strait during summer. Discover how these fascinating predators have adapted to the Black Sea’s unique conditions.

Key Points

• Yes, sharks do inhabit the Black Sea, with the Spiny Dogfish being the most common species throughout the shelf region.
• The Small-Spotted Catshark occasionally ventures into Black Sea waters from the Mediterranean.
• Critically endangered Angelsharks are among the rarest sharks in the Black Sea, with sightings near Turkey’s coast.
• The Longnose Spurdog possibly inhabits the Black Sea, though its presence remains uncertain with limited documentation.
• Smooth Hammerheads occasionally enter the Black Sea through the Bosporus Strait during summer when waters warm.

The Spiny Dogfish: Black Sea’s Most Common Shark

The spiny dogfish stands as the most prevalent shark species in the Black Sea, inhabiting the entire shelf region. You’ll find these sharks thriving in waters between 6°C and 15°C, preferring full-strength seawater but tolerating brackish conditions.

These sharks typically swim near the sea bottom but can move vertically through the water column. They form large schools of similarly-sized individuals—mature females often closer to shore while immature fish stay offshore. Also known as blue dog in some regions, this species exhibits pack behavior that resembles that of canines.

Spiny dogfish gather in size-matched schools, with adult females hugging coastlines while younger sharks remain in deeper waters.

During autumn, you’ll notice spiny dogfish migrating to areas where anchovy and horse mackerel gather for winter. This migration pattern concentrates them in the northwestern Black Sea.

Their carnivorous diet includes small fish, squid, and crustaceans, with feeding habits adapting to seasonal prey availability.

Small-Spotted Catshark: Mediterranean Visitor

While the spiny dogfish dominates Black Sea shark populations, another fascinating species occasionally ventures into these waters—the small-spotted catshark. This slender shark reaches up to 75 cm long with a greyish-brown, spotted upper body and lighter underside.

You’ll typically find these nocturnal hunters in shallow waters between 10-100 meters deep, preferring gravelly or muddy bottoms. Males rest on the seabed while females hide in crevices during daylight hours.

They’re equipped with specialized electrical sensors in their blunt snouts to detect prey like mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish. Their skin texture resembles coarse sandpaper, which plays a functional role in their feeding and hydrodynamics.

The small-spotted catshark has an interesting reproductive strategy—females carry 18-20 eggs for 8-9 months in protective “mermaid’s purses.” Though primarily a Mediterranean resident, this non-threatened species occasionally extends its range into the Black Sea.

The Endangered Angelshark of the Black Sea

Among the rarest shark species in the Black Sea today, angelsharks have experienced a devastating decline throughout their historical range from southern Scandinavia to West Africa.

You’ll only find occasional sightings near Turkey’s coastal waters and the Turkish Straits system.

These critically endangered sharks prefer soft sediment habitats in waters less than 200 meters deep. They’re primarily nocturnal predators, hunting small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.

Conservation efforts face significant challenges, as angelshark populations have declined by 49% in their geographic range.

They’re now protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and UNEP/CMS conservation plans.

If you’re interested in protecting these remarkable creatures, support international collaboration focused on habitat protection and sustainable fishing practices that reduce bycatch.

Longnose Spurdog: A Mysterious Black Sea Resident

Lurking in the depths of temperate to tropical waters, longnose spurdogs remain one of the Black Sea‘s most enigmatic shark species.

You’ll find these elusive creatures primarily on continental shelves and upper slopes at depths between 16 and 440 meters.

While they’re more commonly documented in the Eastern Atlantic from the Bay of Biscay to Namibia, their presence in the Black Sea is less certain.

Records are limited, and some sightings may actually be misidentifications of similar species like Squalus megalops.

These subtropical sharks prefer water temperatures between 11°C and 18°C and play vital roles in marine ecosystems as both predators and prey. Their diet consists mainly of bony fishes and crustaceans, including mackerel, crabs, and even octopods.

Conservation efforts are complicated by limited research, making this shark a truly mysterious resident of Black Sea waters.

Smooth Hammerhead: Rare Appearances Through the Bosporus

With their unmistakable hammer-shaped heads, smooth hammerhead sharks occasionally venture into the Black Sea through the narrow Bosporus Strait. You’ll recognize these sharks by their wide, short cephalofoil without a central indentation and their dark brownish-gray backs that lighten toward a white belly.

Though typically inhabitants of temperate and tropical waters, these powerful predators can tolerate the lower salinity of the Black Sea. They tend to appear in the region during summer months when the shallow waters warm to comfortable temperatures of 73-79°F. Smooth hammerheads have a circumglobal distribution but make only infrequent appearances in the Black Sea.

Reaching lengths of up to 5 meters, these sharks are active hunters that prey on fish, squid, and crustaceans. They’re highly mobile creatures that can move between shallow coastal waters and deeper regions, giving them an advantage when hunting the plentiful anchovies, herring, shad, and other small marine species found in the Black Sea.

The Sum Up

While sharks in the Black Sea aren’t plentiful as pearls in an oyster, you’ve now discovered the five species that call these waters home. From the common Spiny Dogfish to the rare Smooth Hammerhead, these creatures navigate this unique ecosystem despite its challenges. Next time you’re enjoying the Black Sea’s shores, remember you’re sharing it with these remarkable predators—even if they’re keeping a low profile.