Honeycomb Izak Catshark

About the Honeycomb Izak Catshark

The Holohalaelurus Favus Shark, also known as the Honeycomb Izak or Natal Isak, has recently been described as a species distinct from the Izak Catshark. This species belongs to the Scyliorhinidae family.

Biology:

The maximum size of the Honeycomb Izak shark is 51.5 cm TL. Males are mature at 51.5 cm TL, and females are mature at 42.3 cm TL. it is probable that this shark develops one egg-case per uterus at a time, as do other members of this genus.

Habitat:

The Honeycomb Izak has a restricted distribution in the western Indian Ocean, occurring from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, north to southern Mozambique at depths of 200 – 1000 m on the upper to mid slope.

Conservation:

Currently, there are no conservation actions in place for this species. Holohalaelurus sharks from the KwaZulu-Natal and southern Mozambique region are still present in commercial fisheries landings, but apparently only rarely and species identification is not being recorded. Although the reason for the decline is unknown, this shark has not been observed for several decades, indicating a serious decline, and it is therefore assessed as an endangered species.

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