Fishes (marine)

Shark, Blue  | Prionace glauca  |  Pacific population

Status: Data Deficient

Last Examination and Change: April 2006 (New)

Canadian Occurrence: Pacific Ocean

Status Criteria: Not applicable

Reason for Designation: The species is apparently present regularly in Canada’s Pacific waters, probably as part of a wider North Pacific population. Catch information and data from the International Pacific Halibut Commission longline survey (1998-2004) suggest the species is widespread on the continental shelf with a concentration at the shelf break. It has also been taken, at times in large numbers, in oceanic waters. No information is available to assess status in Canada, as there have been few records in existing surveys. Pacific-wide indices are of low reliability because of historical misidentification issues, but one recent assessment from United States National Marine Fisheries Service suggests that fishing mortality on this species in the North Pacific is well below the level of maximum sustainable yield. Level of fishery removals (bycatch) in the Canadian Pacific are low, of the order of 20-40 t/yr.

Status History: Species considered in April 2006 and placed in the Data Deficient category.