Diet of Two Deep-Water Sharks, Deania calcea (Lowe, 1839) and Deania profundorum (Smith and Radcliffe, 1912), in the North Atlantic of Morocco

Abstract

Squaliform sharks are relatively vulnerable bycatch in many deepwater fisheries. The diets of two deep-water sharks, Deania calcea and Deania profundorum, on the continental slope and continental shelf (200– 1100 m) of the Moroccan coasts (North-East Atlantic) were subjected to an examination of the stomach content using monthly samples collected between February 2018 and March 2021. For investigation, 683 Deania calcea individuals were collected, ranging in size from 55 to 116cm, with 423 females and 267 males. While, 161 Deania profundorum individuals were sampled, with 117 females and 44 males ranging in size from 49 to 100cm. It was observed that, the diet of both Deania calcea and Deania profundorum consisted of four essential prey groups; cephalopods, bony fish, crustaceans and annelids. The main prey species of the two deep-sea sharks studied were the bony fish, cephalopods and crustaceans. This study would provide comprehensive information for the conservation of the species under study and managing a good exploitation.