The little sleeper shark (Somniosus rostratus) is a deep-sea shark species found primarily in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, known for its sluggish behavior and ability to inhabit depths of up to 2,200 meters. Unlike its larger relatives, such as the Greenland shark, the little sleeper shark is rarely targeted by commercial fisheries due to its small size and elusive deep-water habitat. However, it is occasionally caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawl and longline fisheries, particularly by countries with significant deep-sea fishing industries such as Spain, Portugal, and Italy. These nations, with fleets operating in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic, are the primary sources of little sleeper shark landings, although the overall catch numbers remain low and the species is not a major focus of the fishing industry. The limited data on this species highlights the need for further research and monitoring to ensure sustainable management amid ongoing deep-sea fishing activities.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.