EC request for information on demersal skates and rays and pelagic sharks

The European Commission has requested information on Demersal Skates and Rays and select pelagic sharks in the

area of the Mid Atlantic Ridge and Azores. The limited information that is available is contained in the 2009 report of

the Elasmobranch Working Group. This information is summarized below as a service to the European Commission.

No advice is given.

Long line fisheries which take pelagic sharks (mainly as bycatch) are primarily subject to management by the

International Commission for Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SCRS)

is the appropriate source of scientific advice on these fisheries. ICES and ICCAT cooperate in the compilation of

scientific information on pelagic sharks in the Northeast Atlantic area.