Top Catsharks, Nursehounds Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Catsharks and nursehounds are small to medium-sized demersal sharks belonging primarily to the family Scyliorhinidae, commonly found in temperate and subtropical waters of the Atlantic and adjacent seas. These species, including the lesser spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) and the greater spotted dogfish or nursehound (Scyliorhinus stellaris), are typically caught as bycatch in trawl and gillnet fisheries but are also targeted for their meat, often marketed as "rock salmon" or "saumonette" in Europe. The leading countries harvesting catsharks and nursehounds not elsewhere included (nei) are Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and France, with notable landings also reported from Italy and Morocco. The fishing industry for these species is primarily based in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean, where they are valued for their mild-flavored flesh and used in both fresh and processed forms. While not as commercially significant as larger shark species, catsharks and nursehounds contribute to local economies and face pressures from overfishing and habitat degradation, prompting increased attention to sustainable management practices in recent years.

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