The prickly dogfish (Oxynotus bruniensis) is a small, deepwater shark distinguished by its rough, prickly skin and prominent dorsal fins. Found primarily in the temperate waters of the southern hemisphere, especially off southern Australia and New Zealand, this elusive species is typically caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawl and longline fisheries rather than being a targeted commercial species. Australia and New Zealand are the primary countries where prickly dogfish are harvested, mostly incidental to fisheries targeting other deepwater species such as orange roughy and oreos. The commercial value of prickly dogfish is limited, but they are sometimes processed into fishmeal or used locally. Due to their deepwater habitat and low reproductive rate, populations are vulnerable to overfishing, prompting some management measures in the main fishing countries to monitor and limit bycatch.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.