The shortnose spurdog (Squalus megalops) is a small deepwater shark found in temperate and subtropical waters of the eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean, and parts of the southwestern Pacific, typically at depths between 30 and 800 meters. Recognizable by its stout body, short snout, and two dorsal fins each equipped with a spine, this species is targeted primarily for its meat, liver oil, and fins. The leading countries in shortnose spurdog fishing are Spain and Portugal, where it is often caught as bycatch in trawl and longline fisheries targeting other demersal species, particularly in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. Smaller fisheries also exist in Australia and New Zealand. The species is subject to management measures due to concerns about overfishing and its slow reproductive rate, but it remains an economically important catch in these regions, especially for local markets and export.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.