The blacknose shark has never been implicated in an attack on humans. However, caution should be exercised if it begins to perform a threat display. This species is regarded as a game fish and offers a respectable fight on light tackle (a more delicate fishing line). It is also of regional commercial importance, being taken intentionally and as bycatch via gillnets and surface longlines across its range, most significantly off southwestern Florida, Venezuela, and Brazil; the meat is sold dried and salted. Large numbers of blacknose sharks are also caught incidentally by shrimp trawlers, which may pose a greater threat to its population, as many of the sharks taken are immature.
Human interactions
Blacknose shark
Blacknose shark | Human interactions
They have never been implicated in an attack on humans. The meat is sold dried and salted. Large numbers of blacknose sharks are also caught incidentally by shrimp trawlers, which may pose a greater threat to its population, as many of the sharks taken are immature. They have never been implicated in an attack on humans.
what is the scientific name of blacknose shark?
user
Carcharhinus acronotus
assistant
where is it commonly found?
user
Tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean
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who described it first?
user
Felipe Poey
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can you describe their habitat?
user
They inhabits the continental and insular shelves off the eastern coast of the Americas, as far north as North Carolina and as far south as southern Brazil.
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what can you tell me about its conservation status?
user
the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that it being overfished, and proposed new conservation measures.
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how are its interactions with human?
user
In 2009, the NOAA proposed instituting a separate quota for blacknose sharks of 6,065 sharks per year, and a ban on using gillnets to catch sharks in the Atlantic. By contrast, blacknose shark stocks off northern Brazil appear to be stable, while no fishery data are available from the Caribbean. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed this species as near threatened globally.
Blacknose shark | Human interactions
In both cases, regulation occurs under umbrella management schemes for multiple shark species, such as that for the large coastal sharks category of the US National Marine Fisheries Service Atlantic shark Fisheries Management Plan. No conservation plans specifically for this species have been implemented.
Blacktip shark | Human interactions
Therefore, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the blackmouth catshark under Least Concern. In the waters of the European Commission, fishing for this species is managed as part of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for deepwater sharks.
Blackmouth catshark | Human interactions
This species would potentially benefit from the implementation of the 2004 Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.
Western shovelnose stingaree | Human interactions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the kitefin shark as Vulnerable in light of documented population declines.
Kitefin shark | Human interactions
The blacknose shark has never been implicated in an attack on humans. However, caution should be exercised if it begins to perform a threat display. This species is regarded as a game fish and offers a respectable fight on light tackle (a more delicate fishing line). It is also of regional commercial importance, being taken intentionally and as bycatch via gillnets and surface longlines across its range, most significantly off southwestern Florida, Venezuela, and Brazil; the meat is sold dried and salted. Large numbers of blacknose sharks are also caught incidentally by shrimp trawlers, which may pose a greater threat to its population, as many of the sharks taken are immature.
Blacknose shark | Human interactions
Since crocodile sharks are not benthic in nature, they were presumably biting the cables as they were being deployed. The problem was solved by protecting the cables with a layer of steel tape beneath a dense polyethylene coating.
Crocodile shark | Human interactions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed this species as Near Threatened, noting more biological and fishery information is needed.
Graceful shark | Human interactions
Interactions with divers show that the prickly shark behaves inoffensively towards humans, either tolerating contact or fleeing when closely approached. It is susceptible to incidental capture by commercial bottom trawls, gillnets, or line gear. It has little commercial value since the meat is soft and poorly regarded.
Prickly shark | Human interactions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the blind shark under Least Concern, as it remains abundant and the various pressures on its population do not seem to pose significant threats. Its range overlaps a number of current and proposed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Blind shark | Human interactions
Only six specimens of the longnose pygmy shark are known to science. Its small size and oceanic habits appear to preclude its capture by most fisheries. Coupled with its wide distribution, this species does not seem threatened by human activity and has been listed under Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Longnose pygmy shark | Human interactions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently lacks sufficient information to assess the conservation status of the yellow shovelnose stingaree. The species faces little fishing pressure, as the depth range it occupies lies largely between the operating depths of coastal prawn fisheries and the small-scale Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery. It would potentially benefit from the implementation of the 2004 Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.
Yellow shovelnose stingaree | Human interactions
This species has a low reproductive rate, limiting its capacity for recovering from depletion. Blacktip reef sharks are popular subjects of public aquarium exhibits, because of their stereotypically "shark-like" appearance, ability to breed in captivity and modest size, and are also attractions for ecotourism divers.
Blacktip reef shark | Human interactions
Given these declines and the continuing intensity of fishing activities within its range, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed this ray as Vulnerable. It would potentially benefit from the implementation of the 2004 Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.
Greenback stingaree | Human interactions
The conservation status of the southern African frilled shark has been evaluated as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Southern African frilled shark | Human interactions
The range of this species encompasses a number of small Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and it would potentially benefit from the implementation of the 2004 Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.
Spotted stingaree | Human interactions
The daggernose shark has declined over 90% over the past decade off Brazil, and similar declines have likely also occurred elsewhere in its range as fishing pressure in the region continues to grow more intense. The IUCN has urgently recommended the implementation of conservation schemes and the expansion of fishery monitoring for this species. Evidence also points to this species being on the verge of or already in reproductive collapse.
Daggernose shark | Human interactions
Given that SESSF activity within its range remains high, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the sandyback stingaree as Vulnerable. This species would potentially benefit from the implementation of the 2004 Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.
Sandyback stingaree | Human interactions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the bignose shark as Data Deficient overall, due to inadequate population and fishery monitoring. The species is considered to be of concern, however, given it is slow-reproducing and faces widespread heavy fishing pressure. There is evidence that its numbers have recently declined in the Maldives. Furthermore, most bignose shark bycatch occurs in international waters, where a single stock may be affected by multiple fisheries. It is listed as a "highly migratory species" under the 1995 UN Agreement on the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, but thus far this has not led to significant conservation measures.
Bignose shark | Human interactions
The populations at the Kermadec and Galapagos Islands are protected within marine reserves.
Galapagos shark | Human interactions
As a result of these pressures, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed this species as Endangered.
Roughnose stingray | Human interactions
Like other members of their family, they exhibit a viviparous mode of reproduction in which the developing embryos are sustained by a placental connection. The females give birth to three to six young in late spring or early summer, either annually or biennially, after a gestation period of eight to 11 months. This species is not known to attack humans, though it has been documented performing a threat display towards divers. It is of moderate commercial and recreational importance. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed this species as near threatened. In 2009, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the populations of the blacknose shark off the United States are being overfished, and proposed new conservation measures.
Blacknose shark | Introduction
While large enough to perhaps be dangerous, the bignose shark seldom comes into contact with humans due to its preference for deep water. This species is a bycatch of gillnet, bottom trawl, and deep-set pelagic longline fisheries (particularly those targeting tuna) in many parts of its range. It is regularly taken in Cuban waters and used to produce liver oil, shagreen, and fishmeal. Elsewhere, such as in Southeast Asia, the meat is consumed and the fins shipped to East Asia for shark fin soup. The bignose shark is not used commercially in United States, where it is listed as Prohibited Species under the 2007 Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic tunas, swordfish and sharks, or in Australia.
Bignose shark | Human interactions
It has also been listed as vulnerable on the 2000 Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, though a management plan has yet to be enacted. Sharks in the Kakadu and Lakefield National Parks are protected somewhat from habitat alteration, if not fishing. No regulations restrict the capture of this species in Papua New Guinea.
Speartooth shark | Human interactions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed this species as of Vulnerable globally due to the intensity and inadequate regulation of regional fishing activities in Southeast Asia.
Jenkins' whipray | Human interactions
There are a number of small Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within its range, and it would potentially benefit from the implementation of the 2004 Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.
Sparsely-spotted stingaree | Human interactions
Off the United States, the fishing of the blacknose shark is regulated by the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service 1993 Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico sharks. For the purposes of commercial quotas and bag limits, the blacknose shark is classified within the "small coastal shark" (SCS) complex. From 1999 to 2005, an average of 27,484 blacknose sharks (62 metric tons) was caught each year off the United States. Recent stock assessments conducted by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have determined the populations of this species have become overfished in both the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.
Blacknose shark | Human interactions
It has also been listed as endangered on the 1999 Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, and on the 2000 Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act. Kakadu National Park may be an important protected area for this species. No regulations restrict the capture of this species in Papua New Guinea.
Northern river shark | Human interactions
Only a handful of circular stingaree specimens have been deposited in museum collections. This species faces no substantial threats from human activity; a few are caught incidentally by the small number of scallop and prawn trawlers operating in the region, but its preference for rough or vegetated terrain largely shields it from fishing. Therefore, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed it under Least Concern. This species would potentially benefit from the implementation of the 2004 Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.
Circular stingaree | Human interactions
In June 2018 the New Zealand Department of Conservation classified the whitetip reef shark as "Vagrant" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.
Whitetip reef shark | Human interactions
Photographing the display should not be attempted, as the flash from a camera is known to have incited at least one attack. Although of modest size, they are capable of inflicting significant damage: during one study of the threat display, a grey reef shark attacked the researchers' submersible multiple times, leaving tooth marks in the plastic windows and biting off one of the propellers. The shark consistently launched its attacks from a distance of , which it was able to cover in a third of a second. As of 2008, the International Shark Attack File listed seven unprovoked and six provoked attacks (none of them fatal) attributable to this species.
Grey reef shark | Human interactions
Because fishery activity is insignificant within the range of the Coral Sea stingaree, it has been listed under Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It would potentially benefit from the implementation of the 2004 Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.
Coral Sea stingaree | Human interactions
Because it lives in such shallow waters, the Ningaloo maskray is generally not susceptible to fisheries. Conversely, its narrow habitat preferences may render it vulnerable to habitat degradation. This species is protected to some extent as its range includes the World Heritage Sites of Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) presently lacks sufficient data to assess its conservation status.
Ningaloo maskray | Human interactions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the narrowbar swellshark under Data Deficient until more information is available, while noting that there is little fishing activity in the region where it occurs.
Narrowbar swellshark | Human interactions
Off Mexico, this species is caught incidentally in shrimp trawls and demersal gillnets, and used for human consumption and fishmeal. The expansion of Mexican gillnet fisheries may pose a conservation concern in the future. At present, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) does not have sufficient information to assess the overall conservation status of this species; its status in United States waters is likely Least Concern.
Horn shark | Human interactions
The reproductive characteristics of the black dogfish, such as a large female maturation size, may render it susceptible to overfishing, though it is more fecund than other deep-sea dogfish sharks. In the northeastern Atlantic, catches of this species are managed as part of the total allowable catch for deep-sea sharks set by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
Black dogfish | Human interactions
The taillight shark is not caught significantly by any fishery, possibly due to its small size and habitat preferences. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as least concern.
Taillight shark | Human interactions
All three thresher shark species were assessed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2007. In New Zealand, the Department of Conservation has classified the bigeye thresher shark as "Not Threatened" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.
Bigeye thresher | Human interactions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the sharptooth houndshark as least concern. This species is highly susceptible to even moderate levels of fishing pressure, due to its restricted range, slow growth rate, and low fecundity. The fact that most sharks caught by fishers are immature is an additional source of concern.
Sharptooth houndshark | Human interactions
The blackedge whipray is occasionally caught by artisanal and commercial fisheries. The International Union for Conservation of Nature does not yet have enough information to assess this species beyond Data Deficient.
Blackedge whipray | Human interactions
The fins are exported to Asia, while the cartilage, liver oil, and skin may also be used. Since fishing pressure on the Australian blacktip shark is now much lower than historical levels, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed it under Least Concern. However, of potential concern are Indonesian fishers in the Arafura Sea, who are increasingly trespassing into the AFZ.
Australian blacktip shark | Human interactions
The possible distribution of this shark across many small, distinct populations also warrants additional investigation and monitoring.
Leopard catshark | Human interactions
In 2004/05, this species made up 12% (153 tons) of the fishery by weight. The whiskery shark is also a minor catch of the southern shark fishery, which does not threaten the species overall. Since its population is stable and regularly monitored, and the fisheries that affect it are well-managed, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed this species as least concern.
Whiskery shark | Human interactions
Its small range does raise concerns that an increase in regional fishing pressure or habitat degradation could impact the entire population.
Dark shyshark | Human interactions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the speckled swellshark under Data Deficient. There is little fishing activity within its range.
Speckled swellshark | Human interactions
However, these studies were based on methodologies that have subsequently been proven unreliable for shark populations. Moreover, fishing pressure in the region has increased substantially since the assessments were conducted.
Milk shark | Human interactions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the saddled swellshark under Near Threatened until more information is available. Currently, little fishing occurs in the region where this shark is found, but should that change it may be vulnerable due to its apparent rarity and benthic habits.
Saddled swellshark | Human interactions
They are also threatened by the degradation of their coral reef habitat by human development, and by destructive fishing practices such as dynamiting or poisoning. As a result, the World Conservation Union has assessed this species as Endangered. Off Australia, the only threat to this species is a very low level of bycatch in prawn trawls, and there it has been assessed as of Least Concern.
Zebra shark | Human interactions
Harmless to humans, the hardnose shark is caught with gillnets and line gear by artisanal and commercial fisheries across much of its range. It is used for meat, which is sold fresh or dried and salted, though its small size limits its economic importance. Its low reproductive rate may render it susceptible to overfishing, and given existing levels of exploitation, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as Near Threatened. Off northern Australia, the hardnose shark makes up 13.6% of the gillnet catch and 4.0% of the longline catch. Since these losses do not appear to have diminished its population there, the IUCN has given it a regional assessment of Least Concern.
Hardnose shark | Human interactions
Despite its massive size, this species is rather harmless to humans unless provoked.
Bluntnose sixgill shark | Human interaction
The impact of fishing on the longnose stingray population has been little-investigated outside Brazil; as a result the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is not yet able to assess its conservation status beyond Data Deficient.
Longnose stingray | Human interactions
In addition to its wide range, most of its population is thought to reside in unfished environments because few adults are caught. Therefore, it is not believed to be threatened by human activity. However, during June 2018 the New Zealand Department of Conservation classified the goblin shark as "At Risk – Naturally Uncommon" with the qualifiers "Data Poor" and "Secure Overseas" using the New Zealand Threat Classification System.
Goblin shark | Human interactions
IUCN members have urged that Brazil improve catch monitoring and enforcement of existing regulations, declare some critical habitat off-limits, and implement the Brazilian National Plan of Action for Sharks (NPOA-Sharks) under the FAO International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.
Night shark | Human interactions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the striped stingaree as of Least Concern. A few are caught incidentally by the small numbers of scallop and prawn trawlers operating within its range, but this species is largely shielded from their activities by its preference for rough terrain. It would potentially benefit from the implementation of the 2004 Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.
Striped stingaree | Human interactions
The Northwest Atlantic fishery for this species is managed under the US National Marine Fisheries Service 1999 Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks. For the purposes of commercial quotas and recreational bag limits, the spinner shark is categorized as a "large coastal shark".
Spinner shark | Human interactions
The conservation status of the flagtail swellshark is considered data deficient by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Flagtail swellshark | Human interactions
Regionally, the IUCN has assessed the bignose shark as Near Threatened in the northwestern Atlantic. Though specific data are lacking, it is suspected to have declined there because it is commonly misidentified as the sandbar shark, thus the known decline in sandbar shark numbers resulting from US longline fishing may represent a decline in bignose shark numbers, as well. This species has been assessed as Least Concern in Australian waters, where it faces no significant threats.
Bignose shark | Human interactions
The documentary shows an Epaulette shark's ability to walk over land, and its hunting behaviours in the ebbing tide.
Epaulette shark | Human interactions
Coupled with its low reproductive rate, this has led the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to assessed it as Near Threatened. In June 2018 the New Zealand Department of Conservation classified the crocodile shark as "Data Deficient" with the qualifier "Secure Overseas" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. After AT&T installed the first deep sea fiberoptic cable between Gran Canaria and Tenerife in the Canary Islands in September 1985, the system suffered a series of shorts that necessitated costly repairs. It was discovered that attacks from the crocodile shark were responsible for most of the failures, possibly because they were attracted to the electric field around the cables.
Crocodile shark | Human interactions
The IUCN has listed the pigeye shark overall as Data Deficient, while noting that its rarity may render it susceptible to overfishing. In KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, small numbers of pigeye sharks are caught in shark nets set up to protect beaches. The catch rate and the average size of sharks caught both decreased between 1978 and 1998, leading to concerns that the local population may be depleted. Thus, the IUCN has given this species a regional assessment of Near Threatened in the southwestern Indian Ocean.
Pigeye shark | Human interactions
The kitefin shark inhabits depths too great for it to be a danger to humans. Its upper teeth have been found lodged in underwater fiberoptic cables. This species has a long history of human exploitation: the meat is consumed in the eastern Atlantic and Japan, and the offal processed into fishmeal. The liver oil is utilized in Portugal, Japan, and South Africa. The skin is made into a type of shagreen useful in the making of furniture and jewelry, and is also favored for the manufacture of "boroso", a Spanish polished leather. This shark has no commercial value in the western Atlantic.
Kitefin shark | Human interactions
Potential additional threats to this species include habitat degradation from coastal development, and depletion of its food supply from overfishing. As a result, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed it as vulnerable.
Porcupine ray | Human interactions
The range of the crested bullhead shark overlaps with several marine protected areas; additionally, it was listed as a declared animal in Schedule 3 of the 1997 Queensland Marine Parks (Moreton Bay) Zoning Plan, which regulates its collection in Moreton Bay Marine Park.
Crested bullhead shark | Human interactions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the pyjama shark as least concern, citing its small distribution and a recent increase in fishing pressure on small sharks in the region. However, there is no evidence to suggest that its population has declined. There are no specific conservation measures in place for this species, though its range encompasses two marine reserves. The South African Sea Fisheries Research Institute is considering legally decommercializing the pyjama shark, which would limit the degree to which it can be targeted by commercial fisheries.
Pyjama shark | Human interactions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently has insufficient data to assess the Kai stingaree beyond Data Deficient. Indonesian trawl fisheries do not presently operate below a depth of , though this is anticipated to change in the future, at which time this species may be threatened.
Kai stingaree | Human interactions
Nursehounds are generally harmless to humans. However, 19th-century British naturalist Jonathan Couch noted that "although not so formidable with its teeth as many other sharks, this fish is well able to defend itself from an enemy. When seized it throws its body round the arm that holds it, and by a contractile and reversed action of its body grates over the surface of its enemy with the rugged spines of its skin, like a rasp. There are few animals that can bear so severe an infliction, by which their surface is torn with lacerated wounds." This shark is displayed by many public aquariums and has been bred in captivity.
Nursehound | Human interactions
The balloon shark has almost no economic value, though the skin may be utilized. It is regularly caught incidentally and discarded by commercial bottom trawlers operating in parts of its range, though its population does not yet appear to have been negatively impacted. As a result, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed this shark under near threatened, while recommending that relevant fisheries be carefully monitored.
Balloon shark | Human interactions
As a result, the IUCN has assessed the finetooth shark as of Least Concern overall and off the U.S. and Mexico. Concern existsfor this species in South America, where its numbers seem naturally low and it is potentially under heavy pressure by widespread, intensive coastal fisheries. However, the IUCN does not have sufficient data to assess its status in the region beyond Data Deficient.
Finetooth shark | Human interactions
Novice anglers often mistake this shark for the mako, which has earned it the affectionate moniker "fako" in New England. The International Game Fish Association keeps records on the porbeagle.
Porbeagle | Human interactions
Harmless to humans and rarely caught by fisheries, the blotched catshark is of no economic importance. It has been assessed as Data Deficient by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Scyliorhinus meadi | Human interactions
"S. acanthopterus" is consumed locally and is seasonally recorded in small local markets. It is potentially threatened by deforestation, pollution and overfishing but the population appears to be stable and it is common in some protected areas.
Scaphiodonichthys acanthopterus | Human interactions
Such apparent depletion, coupled with continuing heavy fishing pressure and a slow reproductive rate, have led the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to assess this species as Near Threatened.
Red stingray | Human interactions
The longhead catshark has no known economic value and as such is not a target of fisheries, though it may be taken as bycatch throughout its range. Even if deepwater fisheries expand, however, the shark would likely to able to elude capture by seeking refuge at greater depths, which is why it has been assessed as Least Concern, even though population data is lacking. Because of its diminutive size and deepwater habitat, it poses no threat to humans.
Longhead catshark | Human interactions
This family of small ground sharks is not targeted by humans for any fishing or food purposes. Although not endangered or threatened, these species are negatively impacted by fisheries as a result of bycatch. The shrimping industry has affected them the most.
Proscylliidae | Human interactions
The impact of fishing in the southern parts of its range is uncertain, but is unlikely to significantly affect the species as a whole as these activities occur outside its centers of distribution. As a result, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the bluntnose stingray as of Least Concern.
Bluntnose stingray | Human interactions
There is intensive fishing activity in the shallower portions of the African sawtail catshark's distribution, where it is caught incidentally in bottom trawls. Landed sharks may be marketed for human consumption or processed into fishmeal. Because this species is largely protected from fishing pressure in deeper water, and the Namibian fisheries operating at its center of abundance are well-regulated, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed it under Least Concern.
African sawtail catshark | Human interactions
The conservation status of the Cook's swellshark has not been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Cook's swellshark | Human interactions
Although still abundant in pristine sites, grey reef sharks are susceptible to localized depletion due to their slow reproductive rate, specific habitat requirements, and tendency to stay within a certain area. The IUCN has assessed the grey reef shark as Near Threatened; this shark is taken by multispecies fisheries in many parts of its range and used for various products such as shark fin soup and fishmeal. Another threat is the continuing degradation of coral reefs from human development. There is evidence of substantial declines in some populations. Anderson "et al." (1998) reported, in the Chagos Archipelago, grey reef shark numbers in 1996 had fallen to 14% of 1970s levels.
Grey reef shark | Human interactions
In the northeastern Atlantic, this shark is being increasingly targeted by fishers following the decline of other deepwater shark species. Off Corsica, Sicily, and southern Portugal, and in the Ionian, southern Adriatic, and Aegean Seas, most of the blackmouth catsharks captured are immature, suggesting there has been a negative impact of fishing pressure. However, the species remains extremely abundant in a number of areas, and survey and fishery data have not shown any evidence of overall population decline. The wide range of depths it occupies likely afford it some protection against fishing, particularly given a 2005 ban on trawling deeper than in the Mediterranean.
Blackmouth catshark | Human interactions
Other than possibly damaging billfishes or other valued species, the largetooth cookiecutter shark is of no import to commercial fisheries. All but one of the known specimens have been caught as bycatch in commercial trawls or longlines. However, given the infrequency of these catches and this species' probable wide distribution, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as of Least Concern.
Largetooth cookiecutter shark | Human interactions
The mitotic stingaree occurs within the management area of the North West Slope Trawl Fishery, but little actual fishing occurs within its range and this is unlikely to change in the future. Therefore, the IUCN has listed this species under Least Concern. It would potentially benefit from the implementation of the 2004 Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.
Mitotic stingaree | Human interactions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has noted that there is minimal fishing activity within the northern sawtail catshark's range, but presently lacks sufficient information to assess it beyond Data Deficient.
Northern sawtail catshark | Human interactions
The smalleye pygmy shark is infrequently caught by fisheries because of its small size, and has no economic value. This, coupled with its wide range, has led the IUCN to list it as Least Concern.
Smalleye pygmy shark | Human interactions
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the Antilles catshark under Data Deficient, as there is little known of deepwater fishery activities within its range. It is perhaps too small to be captured by some types of fishing gear, though its limited distribution means any increased fishing within its habitat may merit concern.
Antilles catshark | Human interactions
Harmless to humans, the Japanese bullhead shark can be easily hand-caught by divers. It is of only minor fisheries interest as a source of food in Japan and likely elsewhere. It is also exhibited in Japanese public aquariums. The conservation status of this species has not been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It has apparently disappeared from offshore waters in the Bohai Sea, possibly as a consequence of climate change.
Japanese bullhead shark | Human interactions
The IUCN Red List assesses both species as Data Deficient (DD); although they are apparently rare, confusion between the two species has made their distribution and population status uncertain. As they are benthic fishes, blind electric rays are potentially vulnerable to bottom trawling as their range coincides with major commercial trawling fisheries. No current conservation measures are in place for the genus.
Typhlonarke | Human interactions
Spined pygmy sharks have no commercial value; they sometimes appear in the bycatch of trawl fisheries, but are generally too small to be captured. In light of its wide distribution and the absence of substantial threats from human activity, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed this species as of Least Concern.
Spined pygmy shark | Human interactions
Among the different species of sawshark, all are listed on the IUCN Red List of 2017 as either data deficient or of least concern Saw sharks do not see much human interaction because of their deep habitats.
Sawshark | Human Interaction
These pressures are likely to increase as the range of this species becomes more heavily populated.
Niger stingray | Human interactions
The conservation status of the painted swellshark has not been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Painted swellshark | Human interactions
There is minimal fishing within the New Ireland stingaree's range, though it may be negatively affected by oil and gold exploration. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) presently lacks sufficient information to assess it beyond Data Deficient.
New Ireland stingaree | Human interactions
The eastern shovelnose stingaree population of Port Phillip is known to have declined over the past decade, which coupled with continuing fishing pressure has led the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to list it as Near Threatened. Its range does encompass some refuge areas, such as the Bass Strait where little trawling occurs, and several Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) recently set aside off Victoria. It would also potentially benefit from the implementation of the 2004 Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.
Eastern shovelnose stingaree | Human interactions
The bluntnose sixgill shark is listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because, despite its extensive range, its longevity and popularity as a sport fish makes it vulnerable to exploitation and unable to sustain targeted fishing for very long. Although population data is lacking in many areas for this species, certain regional populations have been classified as severely depleted. Although it is usually caught as bycatch, it is also caught for food and sport. In June 2018, the New Zealand Department of Conservation classified the bluntnose sixgill shark as "Not Threatened" with the qualifiers "Data Poor" and "Secure Overseas" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.
Bluntnose sixgill shark | Human interaction
The Atlantic humpback dolphin is known to engage in cooperative fishing with Mauritanian Imraguen fishermen, by driving fish towards the shore and into their nets. Incidental capture in gill nets is considered their greatest threat followed by directed takes, habitat loss and degradation, overfishing, marine pollution, anthropogenic sound, and climate change.
Atlantic humpback dolphin | Interaction with humans
In June 2018 the New Zealand Department of Conservation classified the Portuguese dogfish as "Not Threatened" with the qualifier "Data Poor" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.
Portuguese dogfish | Human interactions
Interactions with humans are few as this species primarily occurs at great depth. Although it has been found that hydrozoans have increased in numbers in recent years, the increase in "Liriope tetraphylla", a species of Trachymedusae, does not appear to be affecting the total zoo-plankton populations they prey upon within the Sea of Marmara.
Trachymedusae | Interactions with humans
The eyelight fish has little interaction with humans. Besides being harmless, it spends the day hidden in rock crevices and so is rarely encountered by divers. It has little commercial value, its primary use being as bait for local fisheries, which will cut out the light organs and attach them to hooks. It is listed as Data Deficient by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature due to lack of available population data, a significant contributing factor being its nocturnal nature.
Photoblepharon palpebratum | Human interactions
Records of the species specifically do not exist, however morphologically similar dogfish underwent a massive collapse in the 1970s off the coast of Australia. Populations probably underwent declines of as much as 97% in some parts of New South Wales as the result of fishing. The IUCN estimated global population of the species to have declined more than 30% from unfished levels and with a decreasing population trend.
Squalus montalbani | Conservation and human interaction
The dark shyshark poses no danger to humans and is too small to be of commercial importance. Many are hooked by sport fishers casting from the shore, who regard the shark as a pest and often kill it. It may also be caught by subsistence fishers and in lobster traps and bottom trawls, though not in substantial quantities. This shark occasionally finds its way into the aquarium trade, though there is no direct fishing for this purpose. As the dark shyshark remains common and does not seem heavily threatened by human activity, it has been assessed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Dark shyshark | Human interactions
Grey reef sharks are often curious about divers when they first enter the water and may approach quite closely, though they lose interest on repeat dives. They can become dangerous in the presence of food, and tend to be more aggressive if encountered in open water rather than on the reef. There have been several known attacks on spearfishers, possibly by mistake, when the shark struck at the speared fish close to the diver. This species will also attack if pursued or cornered, and divers should immediately retreat (slowly and always facing the shark) if it begins to perform a threat display.
Grey reef shark | Human interactions