The striped smooth-hound shark (Mustelus fasciatus) also commonly known as the Striped Dogfish, occupy only a small range within the inner continental shelf of southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. They have a large depth range, however, of anywhere between the surface to 820 feet.
The striped smooth hound shark has grey to brown coloring, with occasional black spots, a prominent white belly, as well as a long flattened snout. As their name suggests, the sharks are born with dark vertical stripes on their body that fade as they mature.
Shrimp trawls and gillnets are the most prominent fishing methods such threatening the species. Management and conservation strategies vary by country. NOAA conducted a status review for the Striped smooth-hound shark in 2014 and recommended gear and take restrictions.
Currently, in Brazil this species is classified as critically endangered. This means it is illegal to capture, transport, store, or handle (except for conservation efforts). Brazil also plans to have fishing closures in coastal waters up to 60 feet deep to preserve nursery grounds.
Uruguay’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) national plan lists them as a species of high priority and has set short term goals to determine their distribution and habitat use. A long term goal to research reproduction age and growth, as well as a species abundance assessment, is also in place.
Interestingly, Argentina’s FAO national plan does not consider this species to be a high level of priority and nothing at this time has been put in place. However, researchers have suggested that stricter general fishing regulations could help many of Argentinas shark populations.