The mouse catshark (*Galeus murinus*) is a small, deepwater shark found primarily in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, notably along the continental slopes off the coasts of Iceland, the British Isles, and western Europe. Characterized by its slender body and distinctive pattern of dark spots, this species typically inhabits depths between 200 and 1,500 meters. The mouse catshark is not a major target of commercial fisheries due to its small size and low market value; however, it is often caught incidentally (as bycatch) in deepwater trawl and longline fisheries targeting more valuable species such as cod, haddock, and deepwater sharks. The main countries where mouse catshark bycatch occurs are the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain, and Iceland, reflecting the activity of their deepwater fishing fleets in the northeast Atlantic. While not heavily exploited, the species' presence in bycatch highlights the need for careful management of deep-sea fisheries in these regions to ensure the sustainability of vulnerable shark populations.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.