Deania calcea (Lowe, 1839)

Birdbeak dogfish

Deania calcea, a member of the family Squalidae is distributed from the African coast north to the Faroes and Iceland.  It is found at depths ranging from 400 to 1000 m, but is more common below 600 m (Whitehead et al., 1989).

It is recognised by its long depressed snout, which narrows abruptly at the nostrils, giving the common name of birdbeak dogfish. The first dorsal fin is not particularly shark like, with a long, slender free tip.  The second dorsal has a more obvious apex.  The shark is a grey to brown colour.  The species matures at about 70 to 80 cm and lengths of up to 111cm have been recorded (Whitehead et al., 1989).

During the present survey the birdbeak dogfish was recorded swimming in the vicinity of the Galicia Bank.

The birdbeak dogfish appears to be of some commercial importance.

There is more information available for this species in FishBase. 

Prepared by: Ecological Consultancy Services Ltd www.ecoserve.ie