Broadnose Shark

broadnose shark
© Tasmanian Government. Image Peter Gouldthorpe
Season: Open all year

bag limit2

 

possession limit4

 

boat limit5

Bag and possession limits are for sharks and rays other than school, gummy, mako, blue, or elephantfish combined. Boat limit is for all shark and ray species combined, excluding elephantfish.

Guide to symbols

bagBag Limit
housePossession Limit
boatBoat Limit

Minimum size

None
Measuring
Measure shark species either from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, or for headed and tailed shark, from the back gill slit to the base of the tail. More information.

Other names

sevengill shark, seven gill shark, cowshark, Tasmanian tiger shark, broadnose


Scientific name

Notorynchus cepedianus

Grows to


Up to

3 metres and 110 kg

Identifying features


Broadnose sharks have black or sometimes white speckling on their fins and grey-brown upper body.  They can also be identified by their large, thick body, broad head, blunt snout, seven pairs of gill slits and single dorsal fin.  Young sharks may have white-edged fins.  Teeth on the lower jaw are wider than those on the upper jaw.  The small dorsal fin is near the tail.

​​Area restrictions

Do not take in shark refuge areas. 

Rules

The dorsal and pectoral fins must remain attached to all shark until they are landed.​​​

Habitat

They live in the deep channels of bays, or in the shallower waters of the continental shelf and estuaries.  Found in cooler temperate waters off Tasmania from inshore to 140 metres deep.

Fishing Information

Broadnose sharks are most commonly hooked on longlines and droplines.  As a major predator of shark species, you may hook a broadnose which has been scavenging on other sharks hooked on that same longline.

Handling

Like any large shark, this species is potentially dangerous and should be handled with care.

Cooking

The flesh is good eating.​

Hotline

Fishwatch Report illegal fishing

0427 655 557

What to report? arrow button

Contact us

Recreational Fishing

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

Hobart TAS 7000

Phone: (03) 6165 3233, 1300 720 647

Email: fishing.enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries Licensing

Level 1, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: fishing.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au