A Preliminary Evaluation of the Status of Shark Species













Table of Contents


by
José I. Castro,
Christa M. Woodley
and
Rebecca L. Brudek

National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service
Southeast Fisheries Science Center
75 Virginia Beach Dr.
Miami, Florida 33149
USA

FAO FISHERIES TECHNICAL PAPER
380

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Rome, 1999

ISSN 0429-9345

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

M-40
ISBN 92-5-104299-3

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© FAO 1999


Table of Contents


Preparation of this document

Acknowledgements

Abstract

1. Introduction

1.1 Historical background

2. Problems in understanding and assessing the status of shark populations

3. Biological characteristics and reproductive potential of sharks

4. The status of elasmobranch species

4.1 Explanation of the status categories
4.2 Species accounts by family

4.2.1 Frilled shark, Family Chlamydoselachidae
4.2.2 Cow sharks, Family Hexanchidae
4.2.3 Bramble sharks, Family Echinorhinidae
4.2.4 Dogfish sharks, Family Squalidae
4.2.5 Rough sharks, Family Oxynotidae
4.2.6 Sawsharks, Family Pristiophoridae
4.2.7 Angel sharks, Family Squatinidae
4.2.8 Bullhead sharks, Family Heterodontidae
4.2.9 Collared carpetsharks, Family Parascyllidae
4.2.10 Blind sharks, Family Brachaeluridae
4.2.11 Wobbegongs, Family Orectolobidae
4.2.12 Bamboo sharks, Family Hemiscylliidae
4.2.13 Zebra sharks, Family Stegostomatidae
4.2.14 Nurse sharks, Family Ginglymostomatidae
4.2.15 Whale shark, Family Rhincodontidae
4.2.16 Sand tiger sharks, Family Odontaspididae
4.2.17 Goblin sharks, Family Mitsukurinidae
4.2.18 Crocodile sharks, Family Pseudocarchariidae
4.2.19 Megamouth sharks, Family Megachasmidae
4.2.20 Thresher sharks, Family Alopiidae
4.2.21 Basking sharks, Family Cetorhinidae
4.2.22 Mackerel sharks, Family Lamnidae
4.2.23 Catsharks, Family Scyliorhinidae
4.2.24 Finback catsharks, Family Proscylliidae
4.2.25 False catsharks, Family Pseudotriakidae
4.2.26 Barbeled houndsharks, Family Leptochariidae
4.2.27 Smooth-hounds or houndsharks, Family Triakidae
4.2.28 Weasel sharks, Family Hemigaleidae
4.2.29 Requiem sharks, Family Carcharhinidae
4.2.30 Hammerhead sharks, Family Sphyrnidae

5. Conclusions and recommendations

6. References

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