First records of Alopias superciliosus (Laminiformes: Alopiidae) in Namibian waters

Authors

  • Ruth H. Leeney University College Dublin, Ireland Author
  • Filippus S. Tshimwandi Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66365/jnss.2024.02

Keywords:

Bigeye thresher shark; Atlantic Ocean; pelagic; bycatch; bottom trawling; fisheries

Abstract

The bigeye thresher shark, Alopias superciliosus, is confirmed for the first time in Namibian waters, from four specimens caught as bycatch of bottom trawlers fishing for hake. One specimen was released alive; the other three were dead when brought on board and were utilised by crew members. This species has not previously been documented in Namibia and these records complete the gap in the species’ range, between Angola and South Africa.

Author Biography

  • Ruth H. Leeney, University College Dublin, Ireland

    Ruth H. Leeney has a BSc (Hon) in Environmental Biology and a PhD in marine mammal ecology and acoustics, from University College Dublin, Ireland. She has conducted research on sharks and rays on the African continent since 2012, with a focus on understanding the ways in which fisheries impact endangered species. She was the founder, project manager and principal investigator for the Namibia’s Rays and Sharks (NaRaS) project, which collected baseline data on sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras in Namibian waters between 2022 and 2024. She is currently a Teaching Fellow at University College Dublin, Ireland.

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Published

2026-05-11

Issue

Vol. 71 (2024): Journal of the Namibia Scientific Society

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Ruth H. Leeney, Filippus S. Tshimwandi (Author)

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How to Cite

First records of Alopias superciliosus (Laminiformes: Alopiidae) in Namibian waters. (2026). Journal of the Namibia Scientific Society, 71, 5. https://doi.org/10.66365/jnss.2024.02

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