This project aims to undertake a census of deep-sea sharks caught during one trip of a bentho-pelagic factory trawler to Walters Shoal and the SWIO Ridge in early 2024.

The main objectives are:

1. Compare to shark species and capture rates to the 2012 and 2014 survey to assess changes in shark abundance and biodiversity over the last ten years.

2. Collect spine and vertebrae samples of Portuguese dogfish to support the work under DWS-2023-01.

3. Develop, test and optimise identification guides being developed with SIOFA and FAO’s DSF Project.