Stock Status – Overfished – The 2004 Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s trawl survey data show that the seven years of low pup biomass has led to a truncated size range and shows no significant progress towards rebuilding the female spawning stock biomass. The 2004 biomass estimate for spiny dogfish is approximately half of the target biomass. An updated stock assessment is scheduled to occur this year.

Average Commercial Landings 1996-2005 and Value – 3,359,101 lbs./$492,244

2005 Commercial Landings and Value – 18,905 lbs./$5,987 (quota managed)

Average Recreational Landings – insufficient data to quantify

Status of Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) – In North Carolina, spiny dogfish is currently included in the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Management Plan, which defers to Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC)/New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) FMP compliance requirements. Currently managed under the joint MAFMC and NEFMC FMP in federal waters (3-200 miles) and the ASMFC Spiny Dogfish Interstate FMP in state waters (0-3 miles). Both FMPs (upon approval after public comment) establish a 4,000,000-lb. coastwide quota for the May 2006-April 2007 fishing year that is divided into two six-month quota periods (May-October: 2,316,000 lbs.; November-April: 1,684,000 lbs.). A 600-lb. trip limit is in effect for both periods. Directed fishery eliminated while spawning stock is being rebuilt.

Research and Data Needs - Discard mortality estimates, recreational harvest data, at-sea observer data, commercial fishery sampling, aging, and genetic studies.

Current Regulations (2006)- None

Harvest Season - The North Carolina commercial fishery occurs in the winter, from December – April, when the fishery is active.

Size and Age at Maturity – Males: 23 inches/8 years; Females: 31 inches/12 years. Age at maturity estimates vary due to different aging techniques.

Historical and Current Maximum Age – Males: 35 years; Females: 40 years. Some estimates from the Pacific Ocean studies suggest a maximum age of 95 years. Historical ages are variable due to different aging techniques used. Annual formation of rings on the second dorsal spine not directly validated for Northwest Atlantic fish.

Juvenile Abundance Index 1996-2005 – Unknown, 2005 - Unknown

Habits/Habitats - Spiny dogfish are found on both sides of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in temperate and subarctic waters. In the Northwest Atlantic, they range from Labrador to Florida, but are most abundant from Nova Scotia to Cape Hatteras. They migrate seasonally, moving into North Carolina waters in the winter and north in the spring. The preferred water temperature is 45° to 55° F. The spiny dogfish is a relatively long-lived, slow-growing animal reaching a maximum size of approximately four feet. The spiny dogfish gives birth to live pups. The gestation period is approximately 22 months with 2 to 15 pups produced (average 6). Fecundity increases with fish length.