Contribution No. 654 Threats Because of its small size, it is only occasionally taken by fisheries. Conservation measures None. Literature Last and Stevens (1994). ■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■ Smalleye Pygmy Shark Squaliolus aliae Teng, 1959 Michelle R. Heupel Red List assessment Global: Least Concern Rationale Squaliolus aliae has a patchy, but wide distribution throughout the Indo-West Pacific. Possibly the smallest known living shark, its size means it is irregularly taken in fisheries. Based on this and its wide range this species is classified as Least Concern. Distribution Regional: Australia (isolated records off WA, NSW and QLD) (Kyne et al. in prep.; Last and Stevens 1994). Global: Indo-West Pacific, restricted to separate regions in Australia, the Philippines and Japan. FAO Areas 57, 61, 71 and 81. Habitat and ecology Squaliolus aliae is epipelagic or mesopelagic near land masses. It is thought to use a depth range from 200–2,000m. Individuals are thought to make daily migrations from shallow depths at night to deeper waters during the day. This is possibly the smallest living shark attaining a size of ~22cm TL with males maturing at 15cm TL. Females are ovoviviparous but litter sizes are unknown. The biology of this species is almost entirely unknown. Threats There are currently no fisheries threats identified for this species. Conservation measures None. Literature Kyne et al. (in prep.); Last and Stevens (1994). 36 ORDER PRISTIOPHORIFORMES FAMILY PRISTIOPHORIDAE ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Eastern Sawshark Pristiophorus sp. A [Last & Stevens, 1994] Michelle R. Heupel Red List assessment Global: Near Threatened Rationale Pristiophorus sp. A is an endemic species found only in a small region off the east coast of Australia on the continental shelf and upper slope. The depth range and distribution of the species overlaps with heavily fished areas. Due to its restricted range and susceptibility to capture in commercial fisheries, which may rapidly lead to population depletion, this species is classified as Near Threatened. Distribution Regional endemic: Southeastern Australia. Restricted to a confined region between Lakes Entrance (VIC) and Coffs Harbour (NSW). FAO Area 81. Habitat and ecology Pristiophorus sp. A is found in depths ranging from 100–630m. Females grow to at least 107cm TL; no males have been examined to date. The biology of this species is almost entirely unknown. Threats This species may be collected as bycatch in commercial fisheries. Its toothed snout makes it particularly susceptible to netting and trawling activities. Conservation measures None. Literature Last and Stevens (1994). ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Tropical Sawshark Pristiophorus sp. B [Last & Stevens, 1994] Michelle R. Heupel Red List assessment Global: Least Concern Rationale Pristiophorus sp. B is an endemic species known only from off northeastern Australia. Little is known of its biology, other than small size at maturity which may indicate that it is a relatively productive species. Its area of occurrence receives little fishing effort. There are no identifiable threats to the species and, therefore it is classified as Least Concern. Distribution Regional endemic: Northeastern Australia. Restricted to a confined region off the coast of QLD between Rockhampton and Cairns. FAO Area 71. Habitat and ecology Pristiophorus sp. B is found in depths ranging from 300–400m. This species grows to ~84cm TL, with males maturing at ~62cm TL. The biology of this species is almost entirely unknown. Threats This species is unlikely to be collected as bycatch in commercial fisheries since its distribution is outside fished areas. Conservation measures None. Literature Last and Stevens (1994). 37 ORDER ORECTOLOBIFORMES FAMILY PARASCYLLIIDAE ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Collared Carpet Shark Parascyllium collare Ramsay & Ogilby, 1888 Michelle R. Heupel Red List assessment Global: Least Concern Rationale Parascyllium collare is a little-known small shark endemic to the subtropical to temperate coast of eastern Australia. Although not targeted by fisheries, this hard bottom- living species is commonly taken as bycatch and resides in areas of heavy trawling effort where many commercial species have declined significantly. An assessment of Least Concern is appropriate as this species is not commercially targeted, is typically discarded and is believed to have high survival rates. However, further information should be collected concerning the status of this species as bycatch in trawl fisheries. Distribution Regional endemic: Eastern coast of Australia, from Mooloolaba, southern QLD to Gabo Island, VIC. FAO Areas 71 and 81. Habitat and ecology This species resides on hard bottom areas in temperate waters along the continental shelf in depths of 20–160m. It reaches a maximum size ~87cm TL and is oviparous. Little else is known about the biology of this species. Threats This species is not commercially targeted, is typically discarded and is believed to have high survival rates. Further information should be collected on its presence in trawl fishery bycatch. Conservation measures None. Literature Compagno (2002); Last and Stevens (1994). ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Rusty Carpet Shark Parascyllium ferrugineum McCulloch, 1911 Michelle R. Heupel Red List assessment Global: Least Concern Rationale Parascyllium ferrugineum is a southern Australia endemic with a reasonably wide geographic and bathymetric distribution. Although little is known of this species, it is not targeted by fisheries. Due to its size and depth range, it is unlikely to be largely impacted as a bycatch species in the trawl and gillnet fisheries in this area. Distribution Regional endemic: Southern coast of Australia, from Albany, WA to Gabo Island, VIC, including TAS. FAO Area 57. Habitat and ecology This species resides in temperate waters along the continental shelf in depths of 5– 150m. It reaches a maximum size ~80cm TL, matures by 60cm TL (males) and is oviparous. Little else is known about the biology of this species. Threats Due to the size and depth range of this species it is not commonly collected as bycatch in commercial fisheries. Conservation measures None. Literature Compagno (2002); Last and Stevens (1994). 47 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Indonesian Speckled Carpet Shark Hemiscyllium freycineti (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) Peter M. Kyne and Michelle R. Heupel Red List assessment Global: Near Threatened Rationale A largely unknown endemic species from New Guinea. It is apparently common in parts of its range although the shallow water habitat where it occurs is subject to expanding fisheries, including trawling and dynamite fisheries as well as high pollutant loads. This species may also be subject to exploitation by the aquarium industry. Hemiscyllium freycineti requires scientific examination to define its conservation status. Due to its limited range, the high degree of habitat destruction and heavy fishing pressure within the region, there is concern that it may soon become Vulnerable (A3cde). Distribution Regional endemic: Occurs in the Western South Pacific from Indonesia (Irian Jaya, Waigeo) and Papua New Guinea (Trobriand Islands from Kuia Island, Milne Bay and east of Oro Bay). FAO Area 71. Habitat and ecology This species occurs in shallow waters on coral reefs, sandy and grassy substrates. Reaches a maximum size of 72cm TL with the smallest free-living individual recorded at 19cm TL. Males mature at 37–62cm TL. The biology of this species is almost entirely unknown. Threats It is unknown if this species is utilised by the aquarium industry. However, this is a very attractive and hardy species that may be sought after for public and private aquaria. This species is very susceptible to habitat destruction via high pollutant levels and dynamite fishing practices. In addition, regions of the Arafura Sea, where H. freycineti occurs, are subject to heavy trawling, and high pollutant loads into the Gulf of Papua via the Fly River and others are causing large-scale habitat destruction. Conservation measures None. Literature Compagno (2001); Michael (1993). ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Papuan Epaulette Shark Hemiscyllium hallstromi Whitley 1967 Michelle R. Heupel and Peter M. Kyne Red List assessment Global: Vulnerable B1ab(iii) Rationale A largely unknown species endemic to the Gulf of Papua (Papua New Guinea), a limited distribution subject to a high degree of habitat destruction (high pollutant loads and dynamite fishing practices). Gold mining in the Fly River catchment contributes a large pollutant load that drains directly into the Gulf of Papua causing habitat damage. Hemiscyllium hallstromi may also be dependent on coral reef habitats, which are being heavily impacted by pollution and destructive fishing. This species may be subject to exploitation by the aquarium industry, but the extent is unknown. Distribution Regional endemic: Occurs exclusively in Papua New Guinea (Gulf of Papua). FAO Area 71. Habitat and ecology This species resides in coastal tropical waters possibly on coral reefs. Reaches a maximum size of 77cm TL. Males mature at 48–64cm TL. The biology of this species is almost entirely unknown. Threats It is unknown if this species is utilised by the aquarium industry. However, this is a very attractive and hardy species that may be sought after for public and private aquaria. This small population is very susceptible to habitat destruction via high pollutant levels and dynamite fishing practices. Conservation measures None. Literature Compagno (2001). 57 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Epaulette Shark Hemiscyllium ocellatum (Bonnaterre, 1788) Michael B. Bennett and Peter M. Kyne Red List assessment