Angel sharks (Squatinidae): A review of biological knowledge and exploitation

Angel sharks (Squatina spp.) are distributed in warm temperate to tropical waters around the world. Many species occur in shelf seas and exhibit seasonal inshore–offshore migrations, moving inshore to give birth. Consequently, there can be high spatial overlap of angel shark populations with fisheries and other human activities. Their dorso‐ventrally flattened body shape, large size (most species attain >100 cm total length, LT) and demersal nature means that they may be taken in a variety of demersal fishing gears from birth. Available data indicate that angel sharks typically have a biennial reproductive cycle, with litter sizes generally