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Spiny dogfish, porbeagle and sawfish
Expert analyses from TRAFFIC, IUCN (World Conservation Union), and the CITES Secretariat bolster the case for listing these vulnerable, cartilaginous fish under CITES.
All are:
- exceptionally slow growing and susceptible to long-lasting depletion
- considered globally Threatened by the IUCN
- traded internationally
- qualified for listing under the respective CITES criteria, and lacking other protective measures.
In addition, spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) and porbeagles (Lamna nasus) are:
- considered Endangered in the Northwest Atlantic, Critically Endangered off Europe
- heavily exploited to satisfy persistent demand for their valuable parts, and
- traded internationally (meat to Europe, fins to Asia).
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Photo (top): Spiny dogfish
© Andy Murch/Elasmodiver
Photo (above): Porbeagle on deck © Lisa Natanson/NOAA NMFS
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Sawfish (Family Pristidae) are:
- considered Critically Endangered all around the world
- already assumed extinct in some regions such as Europe, and
- often killed for their “saws” which are traded for curious or traditional medicine.
Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias)
Spiny dogfish are members of one of the most diverse orders of sharks, the dogfish sharks (Squaliformes). A small migratory shark, the spiny dogfish is blue-grey above and white below with spines before both dorsal fins.
Spiny dogfish are one of the most extensively studied shark species and have a long and well documented history of domestic and international use.
Until recently the spiny dogfish was probably the most abundant shark species around the globe. Found in boreal (cold northern regions) to sub-tropical waters, the spiny dogfish has been widely exploited.
Previously caught for their liver oil, spiny dogfish are now primarily caught for their meat, They are imported from all corners of the globe to satisfy the European demand for fish and chips and smoked belly flaps. In restaurants and fish and chip shops, their meat is sold as ‘rock salmon’.
Spiny dogfish can live to about 70 years of age and do not mature until they are 10–25 years old, making them particularly vulnerable to overexploitation. According to WWF, stocks of reproductive females have declined by 95 percent in the Northeast Atlantic and by 75 percent in the Northwest Atlantic.
Germany, on behalf of the European Union wants to place this shark species on CITES Appendix II.
Porbeagle (Lamna nasus)
Porbeagles are deep-bodied, torpedo-shaped sharks, blue grey above and white below. They are distinguishable from the white shark and all other British shark species by the obvious white patch on the rear edge of their first dorsal fin. However, a relative of the more famous white shark, porbeagles are very similar in appearance and are responsible for many ‘white shark’ sightings. They can reaching 2.5 metres and weigh up to 400 kilos,
Porbeagle numbers have been severely reduced by largely unregulated commercial fisheries throughout Europe. A target species for only a few fisheries, porbeagle are still taken in such unsustainable numbers that landings have fallen dramatically.
Porbeagles are one of the most commercially valuable species of sharks. The price of its meat has reached up to £2 per kilo, making the porbeagle a highly prized catch. Porbeagle fins are exported to Asia for use in shark fin soup.
Germany wants to add the porbeagle shark, valued for its meat and fins, to Appendix II because of overfishing.
Sawfish
Sawfish are members of the elasmobranch family. Despite their round body they are a ray rather than shark species. As with all rays, sawfish have their nostrils and gills underneath their head.
Sawfish are used in many different ways. Their meat and fins are eaten and used in traditional medicines. Live specimens are displayed in aquaria, while their rostral saws are sold as ornamental weapons and gifts.
Their exploitation is such that all sawfish species have declined severely. Where there were continuous populations in suitable areas, sawfish populations are now fragmented or completely absent from large parts of their former ranges
All seven member of the Pristidae family are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List.
Kenya, Nicaragua and the U.S. want to place the sawfish on CITES Appendix I due to overfishing.
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