Computational Assessment of the Fluid Flow around Coasting Mature Male Blue Sharks, Prionace glauca (L.)

Body-induced vortices and flow regimes surrounding five mature male blue sharks, Prionace glauca (L.), were investigated. Flow was simulated using 3-dimensional computational fluid dynamics software (Fluent). A k-epsilon turbulent model represented the ocean flow regime. Compared to controls (horizontal cylinders) morphology increased the flow velocity along the body surface. The region around the gill slits displayed maximum relative velocity magnitude which may improve oxygen uptake. The area of the lateral line adjacent to the dorsal fin returned the minimum relative velocity magnitude. The vorticity magnitude was enhanced by dorsal fin-body interactions along the adjacent section of lateral line suggesting that P. glauca channels vortices along the lateral line, at reduced relative velocity magnitudes.