The hammerhead shark is protected by local law.

Hammerhead sharks (Sphyrnidae) are a group of sharks famous for their T-shaped heads, resembling those of a hammer. Its scientific name is Sphyrna mokarran, and in English, the great hammerhead. It is the largest shark species in the Sphyrnidae family. It is located in the oceans around the world, particularly in the tropical waters of the equatorial region. Its head, called cephalofoil, is broad, and its front is almost straight, resembling the letter T, with its eyes protruding on either side. Its mouth, located beneath its head, has 17 rows of triangular teeth on the upper part of its jaw. It replaces its teeth every eight days. Some shark species lose 30,000 teeth in their lifetime. This species can live up to 30 years and has a maximum recorded weight of approximately 450 kilograms (990 lbs). Its length ranges from 4.6 to 6.2 meters (15 to 20 feet), and its color is dark gray or brown, with a white underside.

Females grow larger than males. It is a solitary predator and a strong swimmer that feeds on fish, squid, lobster, and smaller sharks, with a preference for stingrays. Every two years, the female gives birth to a pup that can produce between 13 and 42 live-bearing pups (viviparous). The pups are between 50 and 70 centimeters (20 to 28 inches) long.

Despite being potentially dangerous, hammerhead sharks rarely attack humans and may occasionally exhibit erratic behavior around divers. This shark is popular and is often used in the Chinese market as a key ingredient in shark soup. It appears that the hammerhead shark population is declining worldwide. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the species as critically endangered since 2019. They also occur in the sea on Aruba, so fishermen are urged to exercise caution. The presence of sharks is an indicator of a healthy marine ecosystem.