This species is a slender shark with a darker grey top with white spots and a silvery-white underbelly. [3] The gummy shark gets its name from its flat, plate-like teeth which it uses to crush its shelled and non-shelled prey. Male gummy sharks can reach a maximum length of 157cm (62in), and females can reach up to 175cm (69in). The minimum size of a grown male or female is 45cm (18in). At birth, these sharks measure between 30 and 35cm. [4] Said measurements are taken from the rear-most gill slit to the base of the tail fin.

Klages, J., Broad, A., Kelaher, B.P. & Davis, A.R. 2014. The influence of gummy sharks, Mustelus antarcticus, on observed fish assemblage structure, Environmental Biology of Fishes97(2: 215-222.

Catch limits

Like gummy sharks, school sharks are very important to the southern Australian commercial fishing industry, and are commonly sold to be eaten both locally and overseas. Broadnose sevengill shark Walker, T.I. 1992. A fishery simulation model for sharks applied to the gummy shark, Mustelus antarcticus Günther, from southern Australian waters. In: J.G. Pepperell (ed.) Sharks: Biology and Fisheries. Vol. 43. pp 195–212. (CSIRO Australia) The species is aplacental viviparous (ovoviviparous) usually with litters of 14 pups, although large females may produce up to 57 young per litter. The pups are born at 30–35 cm after an 11–12 month gestation period. Males mature at about 80 cm and females at about 85 cm. Tagging and ageing studies indicate that the maximum life span in 16 years. Braccini, M and Blay, N. 2019. Temperate demersal gillnet and demersal longline fisheries. In: Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Western Australia 2018/19: Walker, TI 1992, Fishery Simulation Model for Sharks Applied to the Gummy Shark, Mustelus antarcticus Gunther, from Southern Australian Waters. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 43.

Last, P.R. & Stevens, J.D. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Canberra : CSIRO Australia 513 pp. 84 pls. (in part as Mustelussp. nov. B) a b Winkler, Alexander C.; Butler, Edward C.; Attwood, Colin G.; Mann, Bruce Q.; Potts, Warren M. (2022-03-01). "The emergence of marine recreational drone fishing: Regional trends and emerging concerns". Ambio. 51 (3): 638–651. doi: 10.1007/s13280-021-01578-y. hdl: 10400.1/16777. ISSN 1654-7209. PMC 8800965. PMID 34145559. The species include the blue warehou and the scalloped hammerhead, which the IUCN also lists as critically endangered. Gummy sharks are endemic to Australian waters. The majority are caught in fisheries managed by the Commonwealth and WA governments.

Quick Facts

The partial length of a Gummy Shark has to be at least 45 cm before you can keep it. The same goes for school sharks. Bronze whaler sharks range in colour from bronze to a greyish-brown, with a pale stripe down their sides. Sometimes, they also have darker fin tips. Walker, Terence I.; Taylor, Bruce L.; Hudson, Russell J.; Cottier, Jason P. (1998-12-15). "The phenomenon of apparent change of growth rate in gummy shark ( Mustelus antarcticus) harvested off southern Australia". Fisheries Research. 39 (2): 139–163. doi: 10.1016/S0165-7836(98)00180-5. ISSN 0165-7836. a b c d e White, W. T; Arunrugstichai, S; Naylor, G. J (7 April 2021). "(2021). Revision of the genus Mustelus (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) in the northern Indian Ocean, with description of a new species and a discussion on the validity of M. walkeri and M. ravidus". Marine Biodiversity. 51 (3): 1. doi: 10.1007/s12526-021-01161-4. S2CID 233582631.