Top Dogfish Sharks Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Dogfish sharks, particularly those grouped under “Dogfish Sharks Not Elsewhere Included” (NEI) in fisheries statistics, refer to a variety of small to medium-sized sharks in the family Squalidae and related families, not specified to a single species. These sharks are known for their elongated bodies, two dorsal fins (often with spines), and are commonly found in temperate and subarctic waters worldwide. The leading countries harvesting NEI dogfish sharks include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France, with significant catches also reported from New Zealand and some Asian nations. The fishing industry targets dogfish sharks for their meat, which is popular in European markets (notably as “rock salmon” or “huss” in the UK), as well as for their liver oil and fins. Dogfish are often caught as bycatch in trawl and gillnet fisheries but are also subject to targeted fishing in some regions, leading to concerns about overexploitation and prompting the implementation of management measures in several countries to ensure sustainable harvests.

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