The First Evidence of Long-Term Survival of the Deep-Sea Blackmouth Catshark (Galeus melastomus) Following Release From Bottom Longline Fisheries

This study documented the first evidence of healing and long-term survival of blackmouth catsharks (Galeus melastomus) following traumatic mandibular fractures and associated soft tissue avulsions that resulted from previous captures on deep-sea longlines. All sharks were actively feeding, despite acute and healed lesions, which suggests that such severe trauma did not impair feeding. Additionally, one female with a healed lesion and three developed eggcases indicated that reproduction was unaffected. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no other alterations in the chondrocranium, splanchnocranium, or broader skeletomuscular system and major viscera. Although the small sample size does not fully represent postrelease survival for the species after capture in longline fisheries, the resilience observed was significant for conservation and fisheries management, which underscores the need for further research.