Is Hammerhead shark kosher?

Hammerhead shark is not kosher according to Jewish dietary law. Its skin is covered in tooth-like denticles, not true removable scales, so hammerhead shark is not kosher.

What is the scientific name of Hammerhead shark?

The scientific name of Hammerhead shark is Sphyrnidae.

Does Hammerhead shark have fins and scales?

Hammerhead shark does not meet the requirement of having both fins and removable scales. Leviticus 11:9-12 requires fish to have both fins and scales to be considered kosher.

Can I eat Hammerhead shark sushi or sashimi?

No. Since Hammerhead shark is not kosher, it should not be consumed in any preparation, including sushi or sashimi.

Where can I find more information about whether Hammerhead shark is kosher?

KosherFish.co references the Orthodox Union (OU) and Chabad lists of kosher and non-kosher fish. For specific halachic questions, consult your local Orthodox rabbi.

Hammerhead shark

Sphyrnidae

Not Kosher

Has fins but no scales

Fins Yes

Scales No

Description

Hammerhead meat is eaten in places like Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Kenya, and Japan, though it's generally unwanted. The fins are prized for shark fin soup, with traders rating hammerhead fin needles among the best.

Hammerheads live worldwide and prefer warmer waters along coastlines and continental shelves. They favor tropical seas and migrate seasonally toward cooler water in summer. Young hammerheads stay in shallow water near shore to avoid predators.

Hammerhead shark in foreign languages

Scientific	Sphyrnidae
Hebrew	פטישניים
Arabic	أبو مطرقة
French	Requin-marteau
Italian	Sphyrna
German	Hammerhaie
Greek	Σφυροκέφαλος
Russian	Молотоголовые акулы
Chinese	双髻鲨
Japanese	シュモクザメ
Korean	귀상어과
Vietnamese	Họ Cá nhám búa
Thai	ปลาฉลามหัวค้อน

Warnings & Kosher Issues

Has fins but no true scales, only tooth-like placoid denticles, so it is not kosher.
Hammerheads are heavily fished for the shark fin trade, with roughly 375,000 great hammerheads taken for their fins each year.