Brown Catshark

About the Brown Catshark

Brown Catsharks are considered to be abundant in the eastern Pacific Ocean off the coasts of British Columbia, Canada down to southern California, United States at depths between 33 to 1,306 m. They inhabit shallow cold waters near Canada, but migrate towards the bottom of the ocean the further south they go towards California. 

Biology and Behaviour

They are light or medium brown with darker margins on their fins. The first dorsal fun has a posterior position over its pelvic fin, and their two dorsal fins are the same size.

Brown catsharks are found over muddy or sandy bottoms and feed on other bottom dwellers such as some small shrimps, squids and small fish.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Brown catsharks are oviparous. The size at birth for pups is 7 cm in length and they mature at around 51 cm long for males and 50 cm for females. The maximum length a brown cat shark can reach is 68 cm. 

Conservation and Tourism

Even though brown catsharks are reportedly common bycatch from trawl fisheries, the IUCN lists brown catsharks as data deficient. There are currently no conservation actions in place.

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