shark shark species belonging family member genus common shark inhabits australian continental shelf western_australia depth habits prefers rocky habitats stout bodied form shark distinguished members family presence long nasal moderately large dorsal fins roughly equal size brownish gray lighter pattern darker younger sharks species reaches length diet shark consists entirely viviparous females bear litters pups year august october gestation period months harmless shark utilized meat species marketed australia mainly caught western australian commercial fishery numbers declined significantly 1970s early 1980s leading introduction new management measures mid-1980s strict fishery management kept shark population stable increasing resulting listing concern taxonomy phylogeny australian described shark new genus species fur issue scientific journal fur use genus fur true flies replaced type specimen long immature male caught victoria australia common names shark include shark reef shark shark sharks western portion species range thought separate species comparative studies found significantly different based morphology grouped tribe subfamily family phylogenetic study colleagues based protein gene sequences affirmed sister taxa study position include description shark moderately stout build appearance short snout rounded wedge shaped viewed species flaps skin preceding nostrils elongated thin horizontally oval eyes placed high head equipped rudimentary membranes protective beneath eye prominent ridge tiny mouth forms short wide arch bears somewhat long furrows corners upper lower tooth rows upper tooth angled knife like main smaller trailing lower tooth single upright pairs gill slits dorsal fin large positioned closer pectoral pelvic fins origin lies posterior pectoral fin rear tips second dorsal fin roughly equals size positioned slightly ahead anal fin smaller dorsal fin caudal fin short lower lobe deep ventral notch near tip upper lobe adults brownish gray lighter young sharks lighter color darker body fins fade disappear age species grows long weight distribution habitat endemic australia shark inhabits temperate continental shelf waters western_australia tasmania common southwestern portion range albany rare victoria tasmania range encompass single population species found close depths favors rocky areas beds biology ecology shark active highly specialized predator feeding exclusively cephalopods bony fishes small rock worms found stomach contents known parasite species like shark viviparous developing embryos sustained yolk probably produced males mate year females reproductive cycle mating takes place august september females store sperm late january early april following year ready month long gestation period litters average pups born august october litter size increases size female measure long juvenile sharks rarely caught commercial suggesting nursery areas found deeper water habitats pups double triple size months life continue grow rapidly years old sexual maturity attained length sexes corresponding years age males seven years age females mature sharks exhibit growth rates resources diverted reproduction maximum lifespan estimated years human interactions harmless humans shark commercially meat sold fresh shark species marketed shark shark targeted shark fishery operating western_australia currently managed western australian joint authority southern fishery fishery began 1940s small number vessels shark caught substantial numbers 1970s introduction hydraulic net additional vessels catches peaked early 1980s tons taken annually reduced population pre exploitation levels mid-1980s prompting western australian government enact management plan stabilized population pre exploitation levels management advisory committee western australian shark fishery recommended shark stock rebuilt pre exploitation levels season series fishing effort reductions target met effort reductions completed preliminary catch unit effort data indicate population increasing species tons fishery weight shark minor catch threaten species overall population stable regularly monitored fisheries affect managed assessed species concern
Whiskery shark