Small-eye Catshark

About the Small-eye Catshark

The Small-eye Catshark is a species of catshark of the family Scyliorhinidae, found in the southeast Atlantic.

Biology and Description:

There is not enough information regarding this species’ biology and ecology. The Small-eye Catshark is a stout, plain catshark, with small eyes, a long thick and broad snout, and long labial furrows. Pectoral fins are short. And it is of a uniform black colour; no markings. Males reach a maximum length of 61 cm/2 ft TL and females of 54 cm/1 ft 9.3 in TL. Both males and females reach sexual maturity at 50 cm/1 ft 7.7 in TL. The reproduction mode is oviparous with embryos feeding on the yolk.

Habitat:

A benthic catshark of the continental slope found on or near the bottom at depths of 700 to 2,000 m/2,296.6 to 6,561.7 ft. This species has a wide distribution from Northeast Atlantic between Scotland and Ireland. Southeast Atlantic in South Africa, and possibly also the Northwest Atlantic off Newfoundland, Canada.

Conservation:

Possibly caught and discarded as bycatch by deepwater trawl fisheries, particularly in the North Atlantic. This species is not known to be utilized or traded. There are currently no conservation actions in place for this species. Future expansion of deepwater trawl fisheries could pose a threat to this poorly known species, however, at present much of its range is below the depth of fishing activities, therefore, the Smalleye Catshark is assessed as Least Concern.

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