Habitat & Distribution

A bathydemersal species that is often pelagic and found singularly, or in small unisexual schools. Supposedly it is a common shark on the lower/outer Continental Shelf, down to 1800m. It is found, normally in deep water, off the south, west and north Irish coasts as well as the west and north coasts of Scotland. It is very occasionally caught in trawls off the south coast of Cornwall, three specimens having been caught, all between August and December from 1993-2007. Research suggests that targeted fisheries are capable of reducing the population of this species quite rapidly. Its life history is such that it would result in a slow recovery after depletion. This species is on the 2008 IUCN Red List as data deficient and it is also on the UK List of Priority Species.