Blue
sharks are among the most abundant and far-ranging of all sharks,
found in tropical, subtropical and temperate waters of every ocean.
They are known to migrate long distances, and prey primarily on
schooling fish such as anchovies, sardines, herring and squid. Blue
sharks will, however, attack virtually anything, including gill-netted
salmon and wounded marine mammals. Blue sharks were identified and
named by Linneaus, the father of modern taxonomy, in 1758, and its
common name comes from its dark blue dorsal fin and bright blue
sides. Adult blue sharks weigh between 70 to 120 pounds and can
grow up to five to seven feet long. They are fished commercially,
usually on baited longlines, and by sports fishermen with rods and
reels.