Ornate Angelshark

About the Ornate Angelshark

The Ornate Angelshark is an angelshark of the family Squantinade endemic to southern Australia.

Biology and Description:

There is currently not enough information regarding this species’ biology. The Ornate Angelshark reaches a maximum size of 140 cm TL for females and 103 cm TL for males. Sexual maturity is reached at 115-125 cm TL for females and 81-91 cm TL for males. The species is ovoviviparous and pregnant females with near-term embryos are observed during January-February. Litter size ranges from 2-9, and size at birth is 32.5-33 cm TL. The species may display spatial segregation of age classes, with older sharks more common in deeper waters.

Habitat:

The Ornate Angelshark is demersal on the continental shelf and upper slope in depths of 130-400 m, but most common at about 300 m. This species is endemic to Australia from Geraldton in Western Australia to Port Lincoln in South Australia.

Conservation:

Although there are currently no quotas in place for catches of the species in the Great Australian Bight Trawl Sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery, the fishery is a limited entry with 10 current fishing permits, but only 4–5 active vessels in recent years. Several general management measures benefit the conservation of the Ornate Angel Shark, specifically through the restructuring of the fishery, and the Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network.

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