Top Brown Catshark Fishing Countries

The brown catshark (*Apristurus brunneus*) is a small, deepwater shark species found primarily along the continental slopes of the eastern Pacific Ocean, particularly off the coasts of California, Mexico, and occasionally as far south as Peru. Characterized by its slender body, brownish coloration, and nocturnal habits, the brown catshark is not a major target of commercial fisheries due to its relatively small size and deepwater habitat. However, it is occasionally caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawl and longline fisheries, especially in the United States (particularly California) and Mexico, where deepwater fishing industries operate. While not a significant economic species, the brown catshark is of interest to scientific research and deep-sea biodiversity studies. Its limited commercial value means that targeted fisheries are rare, and most captures occur incidentally during efforts to harvest more valuable deepwater species.

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