Top Knifetooth Dogfish Fishing Countries

The Top Knifetooth Dogfish (*Scymnodon ringens*) is a deepwater shark species found primarily in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Iceland and Norway south to the western Mediterranean and off the coast of West Africa. Recognized for its slender body, dark coloration, and distinctive knifelike teeth, this dogfish inhabits depths between 200 and 1,800 meters. The species is typically caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawl and longline fisheries rather than being a targeted commercial species. The main countries involved in the harvest of the Top Knifetooth Dogfish include Spain, Portugal, and France, whose fleets operate in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean regions. While the commercial value of this species is limited—mainly used for fishmeal, oil, or occasionally for human consumption in local markets—their capture is often incidental during fishing for more valuable deepwater species. Overfishing and the slow reproductive rate of deepwater sharks like the Top Knifetooth Dogfish have raised conservation concerns, prompting some management measures in European waters.

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