Ghostshark (Dark)

Average length 50-60 cm, excluding tail filament; average weight 1-1.5 kg. Dark ghostshark occurs only in New Zealand but similar species occur elsewhere. Dark ghostshark is brown above, with distinct white stripes and mottlings; white below. Pale ghostsharks is very pale brown above, with only a few darker vertical bars above the lateral line; white occur below. Both species occur in deep water; Dark 200-400 m, Pale 400-800m. Dark ghostshark fairly common off central and southern New Zealand but not Campbell Plateau. Pale ghostshark fairly common on Campbell Plateau as well as deeper areas of Chatham Rise and south east New Zealand. Caught by trawling and deepwater lining as a by-catch; landed all year round. Resource size of both species unknown, probably moderate.