The angular roughshark (Oxynotus centrina) is a rare, deepwater shark species found in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, recognized by its distinctive angular dorsal fins and rough, prickly skin. This small, slow-growing shark inhabits continental slopes at depths of 50 to 660 meters, making it particularly vulnerable to overfishing. While not a primary target of commercial fisheries, the angular roughshark is frequently caught as bycatch in bottom trawl and deepwater fisheries. The top countries where this species is most commonly harvested include Italy, Spain, and Portugal, primarily due to their active deepwater trawl fleets operating in the Mediterranean and northeastern Atlantic. The fishing industry in these countries often lands angular roughsharks incidentally while targeting other demersal species, contributing to the species’ Near Threatened status on the IUCN Red List. Conservation efforts are increasingly important in these regions to reduce bycatch and protect the angular roughshark’s dwindling populations.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal | 5 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.