CR

Narrownose Smoothhound

Mustelus schmitti

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Mustelus schmitti faces severe population decline primarily due to intensive commercial fishing pressure throughout its limited range in the southwestern Atlantic. The species is particularly vulnerable to bottom trawling operations and gillnet fisheries that target demersal species in coastal waters. Overfishing has dramatically reduced population numbers, with the species experiencing continued decline despite some regional fishing regulations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This small houndshark inhabits continental shelf waters of the southwestern Atlantic, typically found in depths ranging from shallow coastal areas to approximately 200 meters. The species prefers sandy and muddy bottom substrates along the continental shelf, particularly in temperate waters off Argentina and southern Brazil.

Marine coastal/supratidal· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryLegislationCompliance and enforcement

Other threatened species in TRIAKIDAE

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Narrownose Smoothhound classified as Critically Endangered?
Narrownose Smoothhound is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Mustelus schmitti faces severe population decline primarily due to intensive commercial fishing pressure throughout its limited range in the southwestern Atlantic. The species is particularly vulnerable to bottom trawling operations and gillnet fisheries that target demersal species in coastal waters. Overfishing has dramatically reduced population numbers, with the species experiencing continued decline despite some regional fishing regulations.
Where does Narrownose Smoothhound live?
Narrownose Smoothhound occurs in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Narrownose Smoothhound?
The main threats to Narrownose Smoothhound are 5.4, 6.2, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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