Tope Galeorhinus galeus 1 & 2 Lateral view C 3 Ventral view C SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME ED M Galeorhinus galeus (Linnaeus, 1758). TOPE, Soupfin Shark, School Shark, Flake, Greyshark, TL A Penny’s Dog, Schnapper Shark, Sharpie Shark, Sweet DISTRIBUTION William Shark, Vitamin Shark, Requin-hâ (Fr), Cazón (Es). NE Worldwide in temperate seas except western Atlantic and western Pacificii. East Atlantic from Iceland to South IDENTIFICATION Africaii, including the Mediterranean Seav. 1 Small second dorsal fin, same size as anal fin. 2 Second dorsal fin directly above anal fin. 3 Very large caudal lobeiii. COLOUR Blue/grey dorsal surface. Sometimes light brown. i Paler/white ventral surface. BIOLOGY AND SIZE DD v : Born: 30–35cm . Mature: 130–185cm C, iii 120–170cm . Max TL: 195cm C, 175cm . ATL No Records Feeds on a wide variety of bony fish, elasmobranchs NE Occasional and squidii. Does not appear inclined to scavengeiii. Range iv U Segregates by sex, except during mating periods . V GAG Map base conforms with ICES grid squares. Sponsored by: Tope TEETH Blade-like with oblique cusps and distal cuspletsiii. SIMILAR SPECIES HABITAT Shallows to ~550m. Predominantly demersal but may be caught on pelagic longlinesii. Highly migratory, moving towards the poles during summeriii. Galeorhinus galeus, Tope CONSERVATION STATUS Late maturity and low reproductive potential make Tope vulnerable to overfishingv. Red List status: Vulnerable (2005). Data Deficient in northeast Atlantic. Mustelus mustelus, Common Smoothhound COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE One of the most widely fished shark species. Regularly taken as bycatch and targeted where abundant. Flesh, fins and liver oil are all utilizedv. Mustelus asterias, Starry Smoothhound Landings restricted in UK waters. HANDLING Tope Handle with care. Sharp teeth. Squalus acanthias, Spiny Dogfish Abrasive skin. REFERENCES i. Barnes, M. K. S; 2008. MBA. ii. Bester, C; Unknown. FLMNH. iii. Compagno, L. J. V; 1984. FAO. iv. Shark Foundation; 2005. v. Walker, T. I. et al; 2006. IUCN Red List. Prionace glauca, Blue Shark GAG01/01/10.