Top Bluntnose Sixgill Shark Fishing Countries

The bluntnose sixgill shark (*Hexanchus griseus*) is a large, deepwater shark recognizable by its six gill slits—unlike the five found in most sharks—and its blunt, rounded snout. This species inhabits temperate and tropical seas worldwide, often dwelling at depths between 200 and 2,500 meters. While not a primary target of commercial fisheries, the bluntnose sixgill shark is caught as bycatch in deepwater trawl, longline, and setnet fisheries, and sometimes targeted for its meat, liver oil, and fins. The top countries involved in harvesting this species include Spain, Portugal, Japan, and New Zealand, all of which have significant deep-sea fishing industries. These nations' fleets operate in both domestic and international waters, where sixgill sharks are landed incidentally or, less commonly, in directed fisheries. Due to their slow growth and low reproductive rates, populations are vulnerable to overfishing, leading to conservation concerns and management measures in some regions.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.