The Dusky Smooth Hound (Mustelus canis), also known as the dusky smoothhound shark, is a small, slender shark species found primarily in the western Atlantic Ocean, from Massachusetts in the United States down to Argentina. Renowned for its mild flavor and firm texture, it is targeted both by commercial and artisanal fisheries. The top countries harvesting the Dusky Smooth Hound include Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, where the species is a significant component of coastal shark fisheries. Argentina, in particular, has a well-developed fishery for smoothhounds, exporting both fresh and frozen products to international markets. In these countries, the species is typically caught using gillnets and longlines, and is valued for both its meat and, to a lesser extent, its fins. Fisheries management varies by country, but concerns about overfishing and the species' vulnerability have led to increased attention on sustainable practices in recent years.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States of America | 438 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.