Bluntnose Sixgill Shark
The bluntnose sixgill is a massive, deep-dwelling shark found in British Columbia's coastal waters — one of the few places in the world where it regularly comes into shallow water.
It's not a sport fish in any conventional sense; it's listed as Special Concern under Canada's Species at Risk Act, and no directed fishery exists.
Divers encounter them in the Strait of Georgia and inlets, but anglers mostly meet them as accidental bycatch in deepwater gear.
Scientific Name: Hexanchus griseus
Also known as Sixgill shark, cow shark, sliina nang gyuugings (Haida)
- Massive, heavy-bodied shark with a broad, blunt snout and small fluorescent green-blue eyes — unmistakable in the water.
- Six gill slits instead of the five found on most sharks; single dorsal fin set far back near the tail rather than mid-body.
- Grey to greyish-brown on top, pale underneath; a faint white lateral line runs along the flank and onto the fins.
- Females reach 4.2–4.8 m and can exceed 550 kg; males are smaller, typically under 3.5 m. One confirmed BC female weighed 569 kg.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to BC's Pacific coast; found in the Strait of Georgia, Alberni Inlet, and along the outer continental shelf and submarine canyons of the BC coast.
- Typically lives at 200–1,100 m depth, but in the northeastern Pacific — including BC — juveniles and adults regularly move into water shallower than 10 m, especially at night.
- Uses deep ocean slopes and canyon edges as core habitat; shallow nearshore areas appear to be used for feeding forays rather than permanent residence.
Key Locations
- Alberni Inlet, Vancouver Island — confirmed sightings and strandings; known shallow-water encounter site.
- Strait of Georgia, BC — documented shallow-water encounters by divers, including at depths under 10 m.
- BC outer continental shelf and submarine canyons — core deepwater adult habitat along the Pacific coast.
Specific Spots
- Deep submarine canyons and outer shelf drop-offs along the BC coast are core adult habitat — structure where cold, oxygen-rich water concentrates prey.
- In BC inlets like Alberni Inlet and the Strait of Georgia, sixgills move into shallow rocky areas and kelp-adjacent zones after dark to feed.
- Divers have encountered them at less than 10 m depth at night near steep underwater walls and drop-offs — the same structure that concentrates fish and invertebrates.
Bluntnose Sixgill Shark FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Bluntnose Sixgill Shark?
Not a target species. Incidental captures in BC occur on deepwater longline sets and jig handlines, gear fished for other commercial species, not configured for sixgills specifically.
When is the best time to fish for Bluntnose Sixgill Shark?
Shallow-water encounters in BC inlets and the Strait of Georgia have been documented year-round, with nocturnal movements into nearshore areas independent of season. No seasonal fishing pattern applies, this species is not legally targeted at any time of year in Canadian waters.
How do you catch Bluntnose Sixgill Shark?
There is no legal directed fishery for bluntnose sixgill sharks in Canada. Divers encounter them in BC inlets and the Strait of Georgia on night dives near steep walls and drop-offs. Anglers who hook one incidentally on deepwater gear are required by DFO to release it at sea immediately with minimal handling.
What do Bluntnose Sixgill Shark eat?
Feeds on a wide range of prey including fish, marine mammals, squid, crabs, and carrion, the broad lower jaw teeth work like a saw to cut through tough material. Deepwater scavenging appears to be a significant part of the diet.
Where do Bluntnose Sixgill Shark live?
Native to BC's Pacific coast; found in the Strait of Georgia, Alberni Inlet, and along the outer continental shelf and submarine canyons of the BC coast.
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