June 25, 2014 — Increasing numbers of spiny dogfish reported in Nova Scotia waters are causing concern for fishermen and scientists.
An analysis done by Department of Fisheries and Oceans scientists shows the number of spiny dogfish has dramatically jumped in recent years.
"By comparison with some of the other sharks here, there's probably 1,000 times more spiny dogfish out there than other sharks," said Steven Campana, head of the Canadian Shark Research Labratory at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography.
According to the report, in 2013 there were nearly six times more tonnes of spiny dogfish caught in the 2013 survey off Nova Scotia, compared to the 2012 survey.
A total of 259,461 tonnes of spiny dogfish were recorded off the coast in 2013, compared to 44,310 in 2012 and just 3,353 in 2011.
"In the case of dogfish, it seems that people are the main influence on numbers," Campana said. "I would say while fishing remains light in Canada, we can expect more and more dogfish to appear, to be born and to grow in these waters. For the near future, it looks like the path for dogfish, onwards, is up."
Read the full story at the CBC