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Blue Shark are dark blue on top, grading to bright blue on the flanks with a white belly. They can grow to a maximum length of 380 cm. 
 
 
 
Blue Shark have a maximum age of 22 years for males and 19 years for females. Maturity is reached at 190-195 cm lenth and 8 years for males, and 170-190 cm length and 7-9 years for females. They have a gestation period of 9-12 months and are thought to give birth in spring. 
 
 
 
Blue Shark are found in offshore waters throughout New Zealand at depths to 1000 m. They are a highly migratory species and feed on living and dead bony fishes, smaller sharks, squids, and carrion. 
 
             
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 Key statistics 
	
		
		
		
		
			
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			| 1 Reported commercial catch is calculated for the 12 month period to 30/09/2026 | 
		 
		
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			| 2 Quota value and exports are calculated pro-rata to reported commercial catch for the 12 month period to 30/09/2026 | 
		 
	 
 
             
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