Family Squalidae 



Genus Squalus 



(18) Squalus acanthias Linnaeus 1758 



Atlantic spiny dogfish, dogfish, grayfish 



Specimens: (PLATE 8) 



This species is the most common member of the shark family 

 appearing in Rhode Island waters. It is abundant during tin- 

 spring, summer and fall months. This species ranges from 6.5 inches 

 at birth to a maximum of 4 feet (Gordon 1956 1). 



Economic Importance: 



Chiefly a trash species utilized for reduction in Rhode Island, 

 this species is sometimes filleted and sent to the New York market 

 under the name of grayfish. In Great Britain and northern Europe 

 this species is of considerable commercial value as a food fish. 

 Frequently taken by hook and line, the spiny dogfish should be 

 handled with caution since Norman (1931) states that the spine of 

 this species has a mild poison capable of inflicting intense pain and 

 discomfort. During 1957, 26,000 pounds of grayfish valued at SI 37 

 were landed at Rhode Island ports. 



Family Squatinidae 

 Genus Squatina 



(19) Squatina dumeril (LeSueur) 1818 

 Angel shark, Atlantic monkfish 



Specimens: (PLATE 9) 



Four members of this species have been recorded from Rhode 

 Island and vicinity. Two were recorded by Tracy (1910), from 

 Newport and West Passage. A four-foot angel shark was taken in 

 October, 1948, by the trawler Eleanor on the Mussel Bed, 6 miles 

 SE of Point Judith, in 18 fathoms. Another was taken by the trawler 

 R. ]V. Griffin, Jr., January 15, 1955, in 55 fathoms, south of Block 

 Island. The latter monkfish weighed 22 pounds and had a total 

 length of three feet. It was described by Gordon (1955 c, 1956 n). 



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