Picked dogfish

Squalus acanthias (Latin)

Pigghå (N)
Aiguillat commun (F)
Dornhai (D)

Season: All year
Size: Up to 120 cm

The fish
The spiny dogfish is the most common kind of shark in Norwegian waters and is often found in dense shoals. The two dorsal fins have a long spine at the front that contains venom and can give a painful wound if touched.

This species of shark lives at depths of from 10 to 200 metres, but has also been found at 960 metres. Tagging of individuals by Norwegian researchers has demonstrated that in the autumn, the spiny dogfish migrates to the waters west of the Shetland and Orkney Islands and returns to the Norwegian coast in the early spring.

Fishery
Most longline fishing for spiny dogfish is carried out in the winter when the species is closest to the coast.

Fishing methods
Longlines, nets.

Use
In the past, spiny dogfish was fished for its liver alone. More recently, however, the fish has become popular as a food fish. Sold as fresh or frozen filet. It can also be smoked. Picked dogfish can be fried or broiled and used in various dishes.

Nutritional value
Spiny dogfish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids – 100 grammes of meat providing roughly 2 grammes of these essential fatty acids.