Dogfish are found on the shallow continental shelves of the northwest and northeast Atlantic, as well as in the Mediterranean Sea. Their habitat has been impacted by several human activities, including:
- Trawling: Trawling is a fishing method that uses a large net dragged along the seafloor to catch fish. This method can destroy dogfish habitat, including seagrass beds and coral reefs, which are important for feeding, breeding, and shelter.
- Dredging: Dredging is the process of removing sediment and debris from the seafloor, which can also damage dogfish habitat. Dredging can disrupt food sources, destroy breeding grounds, and increase water turbidity, which makes it difficult for dogfish to navigate and find food.
- Coastal development: Coastal development, such as the construction of ports, marinas, and other structures, can also destroy dogfish habitat. This can lead to fragmentation of dogfish populations, which makes it difficult for them to reproduce and survive.
Overfishing
Dogfish have been targeted by commercial fisheries for their meat, fins, and liver oil. In some areas, dogfish populations have been severely depleted due to overfishing, with some species now considered endangered or threatened.
Bycatch
Dogfish are often caught as bycatch in commercial fisheries that target other species, such as cod, haddock, and pollock. Bycatch can occur when dogfish are caught in nets or traps that are not intended for them. This can lead to significant mortality rates for dogfish, as they may be injured or killed when caught in the nets or traps.
Climate change
Climate change can have several impacts on dogfish populations, including:
- Ocean acidification: Ocean acidification is the lowering of the pH of seawater due to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This can make it difficult for dogfish to build their shells, which can reduce their survival rates.
- Warming waters: Warming ocean waters can cause dogfish to move to different areas or change their behavior, which can impact their ability to reproduce and survive. Warming waters can also lead to changes in the availability of food sources for dogfish.
Conservation efforts
Several conservation efforts are underway to protect dogfish and their habitat, including:
- Marine protected areas: Marine protected areas are areas of the ocean that are protected from certain human activities, such as fishing and development. Marine protected areas can provide refuge for dogfish and help to protect their habitat.
- Fishing regulations: Fishing regulations can help to reduce the number of dogfish that are caught, both as bycatch and as target species. These regulations can include limits on the number of dogfish that can be caught, restrictions on the gear that can be used to catch dogfish, and closed fishing seasons.
- Aquaculture: Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms, and it can be used to produce dogfish in a controlled environment. This can help to reduce the pressure on wild dogfish populations.
- Education and awareness: Raising awareness about the conservation of dogfish and their habitat is important for garnering support for conservation efforts. Education programs can help to inform people about the importance of dogfish and the threats they face.