North Atlantic Sharks Relevant to Fisheries Management presents a fully illustrated identification guide to a selection of shark species of the North Atlantic, encompassing FAO Fishing Areas 21 and 27. It includes 38 species selected as being most relevant to commercial fisheries, vulnerable to exploitation due to their life history characteristics, or taken in large numbers as discarded bycatch. Information under each species account includes FAO common names, local names, scientific names, FAO 3-alpha code, a color illustration of the species lateral view (and often anatomical details), main field markings and diagnostic features, and size and main distinctive characters of similar species occurring in the area.
North Atlantic Sharks Relevant to Fisheries Management also includes a photograph of the species, and information on fisheries, fishing methods, EU, non-EU and RFMO regulations in force in 2012, geographic distribution, conservation status, whether the species is prohibited, if the fins are marketed, zones of occurrence and maximum depth of commonly caught specimens. The pocket guide aims to provide a quick reference and identification tool to the sharks of the North Atlantic. The pocket format and the plastic support make it an easy-to-carry tool that can be used in wet environments and underwater.