Blue shark
North Atlantic Ocean
Profile updated on 14 June 2022
SUMMARY
SUMMARY
IDENTIFICATION
SCIENTIFIC NAME(s)
Prionace glauca
SPECIES NAME(s)
Blue shark
In the Atlantic Ocean blue shark is found from Newfoundland to Argentina and from Norway to South Africa where, based on different scientific studies related to tagging, migration cycles and reproduction areas (e.g. Castro and Mejuto, 1995; Fitzmaurice et al., 2005) three stocks are considered: North Atlantic, South Atlantic and Mediterranean (ICCAT, 2008; FIRMS, 2008; Valeiras and Abad, 2009). No differences were found between eastern and western organisms in the North Atlantic (Skomal and Natanson, 2003).
The latest stock assessment was performed in 2015 by the ICCAT Standing Committee Research and Statistics (SCRS) (ICCAT 2015) and separated assessments for the North and for the South Atlantic stocks. This report also acknowledges that more research is needed to improve the current knowledge of this species in the Mediterranean.
ANALYSIS
- The ICCAT Standing Committe on Research and Statistics (SCRS) is conducting stock assessments for this stock (ICCAT 2015).
- A specific catch limit of 4,010t has been adopted for Japan through Rec 19-12 and subsequent Rec 21-10. Catches in 2020 were well below this catch limit.
SCORES
Management Quality:
≥ 6
≥ 6
≥ 6
