Assessment Information
Red List Category
NT
Near Threatened
Red List Criteria
Version
3.1
Year Assessed
2006
Assessor/s
Kyne, P.M., Sherrill-Mix, S.A. & Burgess, G.H.
Reviewer/s
Heupel, M.R., Simpfendorfer, C.A. & Cavanagh, R.D. (Shark Red List Authority)
Justification
A large dogfish of the Arctic and North Atlantic, inhabiting inshore zones to continental shelves and slopes usually in depths of 0 to 1,200 m (one individual recorded at 2,200 m). Maximum size is uncertain but reaches at least 640 cm total length (TL), possibly to 730 cm TL, with most adults between 244 to 427 cm TL. This appears to be an extremely long-lived and slow-growing elasmobranch with limited reproductive capacity. Historically targeted for its liver oil in Norway, Iceland and Greenland with catches reaching 32,000 sharks/year in the 1910s in Greenland alone. These fisheries may have had a significant impact on this species, but the rate of historical decline (if any) is unknown. Presently taken as bycatch in trawl, gillnet and trap fisheries, as well as in Arctic artisanal fisheries. Its population dynamics and biology are not well understood but its large size and slow growth rate suggest it is vulnerable to fishing pressure. This shark is listed as Near Threatened on the basis of possible population declines and limiting life history characteristics. There is a need to examine historical data and monitor current bycatch levels.
