Top Catsharks, Etc. Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Catsharks and related species classified as "Catsharks, Etc. Not Elsewhere Included" (NEI) are small to medium-sized sharks belonging primarily to the family Scyliorhinidae. These bottom-dwelling sharks are found in temperate and tropical seas worldwide, often inhabiting continental shelves and slopes. They are typically harvested as bycatch in trawl and longline fisheries, though some targeted fisheries exist. The leading countries engaged in the capture of catsharks NEI include Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and other European nations, as well as Japan and South Korea in Asia. These countries process catsharks for human consumption—often marketed as "rock salmon" or "saumonette"—and for fishmeal and bait. The catshark fishery is generally small-scale compared to other shark fisheries, but the species' slow reproductive rates make them vulnerable to overfishing, prompting growing management and conservation efforts in key fishing regions.

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