Spiny Dogfish

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 Best Fish Guide: Spiny Dogfish

 Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)

What's this? 

 Description: Like rig, this small shark species has moderately fast growth and reproductive rates that make it less prone to overfishing than most shark species. It lives near the seafloor, in deeper waters than rig (100 – 700m), occuring almost worldwide in cool temperate waters. In New Zealand they are most commonly found off the south and east coasts of the South Island. It is mainly caught as bycatch in several deepwater trawl fisheries plus by inshore trawlers, set netters and longliners.

Ecological concerns: The limited research on this species, the absence of a quantitative stock assessment, which results in the unknown sustainability of current catch limits, the uncertainty about stock boundaries and the absence of a management plan. Also of concern is the impact of trawling on seabed habitats and, due to the association with other fisheries where it is caught, seabird, marine mammal and other fish bycatch.
Whilst there is no management plan for spiny dogfish, in 2008 a New Zealand National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks was developed. However, there are no specific conservation actions for spiny dogfsh, nor is there any difference in its management from the status quo.

Economic value: Spiny dogfish is sold in New Zealand and is exported, mainly to Western Europe and China with a value of $2.4 million in 2008.

ASSESSMENT OUTPUT

Biology and risk of overfishing (score D)
Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D)
Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score E and D)
Management and management unit (score D and B)

For a full ecological assessment, click here