The Dutch government has committed to the sharks action plan of the European Union.
Part of this plan is to gather more information about sharks. Research on the Dutch input of sharks can provide an overview of the size of catches. About sharks landings is yet little known. Aim of this project is to sample Dutch landings of sharks to better understand the diversity and size of sharks in the catches of fishermen.
Therefore, in 2010 en 2011 IMARES has sampled catches of sharks in combination with measurements to other species in IJmuiden, Urk, Den Helder and Stellendam. The sampling shows that the supply of mainly dogfish shark (Scyliorhinus canicula) exists. The lengths of these sharks vary between 42 and 66 centimeters.