Angular Rough Shark

OXYNOTUS CENTRINA

Somehow you find yourself diving in the deep Mediterranean waters in a submarine. All of the sudden you see a weird looking fish swim past the porthole that appears to resemble a shark. This is not just any normal shark, it is the terrifying Angular Rough Shark. It is also known as the Oxynotus Centrina in the scientific community and it is a species under the group of fish. While this shark is listed on the endangered species list, their specific population numbers are not known. These species of shark are found in the Mediterranean where they begin their life in a litter of ten to twelve. They grow to an average of 3.3 feet but have been found at lengths up to five feet! Angular Rough Sharks are carnivores that feed on smaller creatures like worms or Mollusks. A distinguishable trait of these species is its flattened head and large dorsal fins.

HABITAT and ROLE

Angular Rough Sharks are found in Mediterranean waters at depths as deep as 2,170 feet! However, they are typically found below 330 feet and stay within a depth range of 160 to 2170 feet. Given that these shark species are found in the deeps of the ocean, there is not a ton of information about them. For example, their specific niche within the ecosystem can not be found. However, it can be assumed that they control the populations in what they eat. They may control populations such as worms and crustaceans and create a balance in the ecosystem or food web in which they belong.

SPECIES DECLINE and IMPORTANCE

This little known species is in decline due to bycatch. Bycatch occurs as trawl fleets catch unwanted species in their nets. The Angular Rough Sharks represent just a small percentage of unwanted fish that are caught. Fishermen even consider this species to be bad luck and throw them back. Although, these sharks have never been seen to survive after being thrown back. Like other sharks, these sharks need a constant flow of water through their gills and without this they die. This little known species represents a larger picture to an overall message of mass fishing. If species like this little known shark disappear from mass fishing, many others could soon follow. This means that some ecosystems would lose their balance and certain organisms would thrive while others perish.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Conservations efforts stem towards a larger problem rather than for this specific species. The larger problem is mass fishing. There are some concepts that managers of fisheries utilize to prevent emptying fish resources. These concepts are things such as using equipment that reduce bycatch, fishing restrictions, and continued evaluations of populations. Globally, there are measures being taken to curb this problem but it comes down to the individual consumer to make the change.

SCIENTIFIC TOOLS

While understanding more about this species can be difficult, Geographic Information Systems can aid in researching and protecting species like the Angular Rough Shark. This system is able to map the seafloor and habitats that help in focusing areas of conservation. Biogeographers can use tools like these to see how loss of different species will impact the marine environment.

Call for Change

There are countless ways to save sharks like the Angular Rough Shark. These are just a few of them.

-Donate to websites like Shark Stewards

-Buy sustainably caught fish. This reduces the likelihood the fish was caught from mass fishing methods.

-Don't eat shark fins or meat

-Read the ingredients on cosmetics or medicine and avoid an ingredient called squalene. This is sourced from shark liver oil.

-Learn more about the dangers of mass fisheries and spread the word to others

Explore these links for the information sourced in the blog or to learn more about this species.

Links:

Angular roughshark - L'Aquàrium

(A) Map of the Mediterranean Sea revealing the locations of the... | Download Scientific Diagram

Angular Roughshark – Facts, Size, Behavior, Diet, Pictures