At a glance
- IUCN category
- VU · Vulnerable
- Animal group
- Fish
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The smooth hammerhead is a large hammerhead shark with a smoothly curved head lacking a central notch. It is assessed as Vulnerable.
Like other hammerheads it is heavily targeted for its fins.
Range & habitat
Temperate and tropical seas worldwide.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Overfishing, including for fins
- Bycatch
Why it matters
A wide-ranging hammerhead pressured by the fin trade, the smooth hammerhead is part of the broader case for shark conservation.
Sources
Sources for Smooth Hammerhead
- IUCN Red List — look up Smooth Hammerhead (authoritative status)
- FishBase
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the smooth hammerhead told apart from other hammerheads?
Its head is broad and smoothly curved across the front, without the central notch seen in the scalloped hammerhead, and it tolerates cooler waters than some relatives.
Why is the smooth hammerhead Vulnerable?
Published assessments cite overfishing — including high demand for fins — and bycatch. See the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.
Last updated: