Quagga Catshark

About the Quagga Catshark

The Quagga Catshark is a poorly-known shark. It is known to have a very discrete distribution around southwestern India and around Yemen. It is also known to have a fragmented distribution around Gulf of Aden but these regions have to be confirmed.

Their known depth range is 54 to 300 m (177 to 984 ft) and they appear mostly in the deep sea ranges. The biology of this species is unknown, but the size at birth is approximately 8 cm (3 in) in total length. The males mature at 28-35 cm (11.0–13.8 in) and reach a maximum size of about 37 cm (14.6 in). And an adult female is measured 36.8 cm (14.5 in) having eight egg cases, four in each uterus.

The development of intense deep-sea bottom trawl fishing off southwestern India where the species is most likely to be taken as bycatch is a concern. Its small size means that it would be discarded at sea, but survivorship would be low. There are currently no deep-sea fishing activities around the Socotra Archipelago. Declines off southwestern India are suspected, but the extent to which fishing is affecting the species there is not known. Despite some concern, the species is assessed as Data Deficient, with a urgent need to assess bycatch rates in the Indian deep-sea shrimp trawl fishery.

No utilization or commercial trade of this species is currently known to exist. It is likely discarded at sea given its small size and low economic value.Currently there are no species-specific conservation measures in place. Research is required on life-history, the impact of threats, and potential and actual levels of bycatch. Surveys are needed to further define this species’ distribution and abundance to further assess status and any future conservation needs.

 

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