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Longnose Sawshark

The longnose sawshark is a unique, bottom-dwelling shark known for its long, flattened snout lined with sharp teeth on both sides. Found in the waters of Southern and Western Australia, this species likely uses its distinctive snout to detect and capture prey hidden in the seafloor.  

 

Longnose sawsharks are relatively small compared to other sharks, only growing up to about 1.5 meters (5 feet) long. It can be found in a range of habitats, including coastal waters and open oceans, but prefers areas with sandy or muddy bottoms. These sharks tend to stay within their home range, which can be up to around 100 square kilometers (39 square miles). 

The longnose sawshark is one of 10 species of sawsharks, all of which bear distinctive long, flat snouts lined with sharp teeth and whisker-like barbels on each side. Scientists believe the shark uses its saw-like rostrum to uncover prey on the ocean floor. Once detected, it uses the teeth on its snout to sideswipe and immobilize or injure prey. Longnose sawsharks are thought to eat mostly bottom-dwelling fish, squid, and crustaceans.  As smaller sharks, they too must watch out for predators like larger sharks and depend on their grey and brown markings to camouflage themselves against the ocean floor. 

 

 

Although longnose sawsharks are not currently considered endangered, their life is often cut short by trawl or gillnet fishing. While rarely the target of commercial fishers, they are often caught accidentally in fisheries for other species. 

 

 

One of the most impactful ways to protect endangered ocean species is to prevent them from being unintentionally caught up in fishing gear. Each year, fishing gear kills millions of non-targeted animals as bycatch, including sharks, whales, fish, and sea turtles.  

Oceana campaigns to protect threatened marine species and reduce bycatch around the world. We have won major victories to protect sharks in the United States and Canada, and we continue our work to increase transparency in shark fisheries so these species can get the protections they need. You can learn more about our campaign to protect threatened ocean species, and their habitat, here.   

 

 

 

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