Good Fish Guide
Starry smoothhound
(Mustelus asterias)
Also known as: Gummy shark, Smooth dogfish
Overview
Smoothhounds are a common shark found inshore and offshore throughout European waters. Females mature at about 85 cm and males from 75 to 85 cm. They give birth to live young with 7 to 10 pups per litter. The maximum size of the species is 140 cm, age at maturity. Longevity is unknown.Update Feb 2024: ratings previously covered three species: starry smoothhound, common smoothhound, and blackspotted smoothhound. It has now been changed to cover only starry smoothhound. The scope of the rating has also been changed to cover only the UK EEZ, instead of the whole Northeast Atlantic.The most recent ICES assessment of smoothound (2023) indicates that both common and blackspotted smoothhound are thought to be found in the Mediterranean Sea and off Northwest Africa (ICES subarea 9). Therefore, these species are no longer included in this rating. The Channel NQS FMP Annexes also highlight that recent genetic studies have indicated that common smoothhound is not found in British waters.
Ratings
Showing 2 results for Starry smoothhound
