Gulper sharks, a group within the family Centrophoridae, are deep-sea sharks characterized by their slender bodies, long snouts, and large, luminous eyes adapted for life in the ocean's twilight zones. These sharks are primarily targeted for their liver oil, which is rich in squalene, as well as for their meat and fins. The term "Not Elsewhere Included" (NEI) refers to gulper shark species that are not specifically identified in catch statistics but are grouped together in fisheries data. The top fishing countries for NEI gulper sharks include Portugal, Spain, New Zealand, and Japan, all of which have developed deep-sea fisheries that exploit these species, often as bycatch in trawl and longline fisheries targeting other deepwater species. Overfishing concerns have arisen due to the gulper sharks’ slow growth and low reproductive rates, prompting some countries and international bodies to implement stricter management measures and catch limits to ensure the sustainability of these vulnerable populations.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.