The gulper shark, primarily referring to species within the genus *Centrophorus*, is a deep-sea dogfish known for its elongated body, large eyes, and slow reproductive rate, making it particularly vulnerable to overfishing. These sharks inhabit continental slopes and deep waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. The main fishing countries targeting gulper sharks include Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, and some nations in West Africa, where they are primarily harvested for their valuable liver oil, which is rich in squalene, as well as for their meat. The fishing industry for gulper sharks is largely driven by deep-sea trawl and longline fisheries, and overexploitation has led to significant population declines, prompting international concern and, in some regions, stricter management measures or bans on targeted fishing to protect these vulnerable species.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 32 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.