Spiny dogfish

It is important to clarify that the Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) is a type of shark living in seas and oceans. Systematically, it belongs to the Squalidae family, within the order Squaliformes.

In common parlance, the term "catran" (katran) is often confused with the edible root vegetable Crambe maritima, which belongs to the Brassicaceae family. The latter is a valuable vegetable crop, not a pest.

Since Squalus is a cartilaginous fish, it cannot physically be a pest of agricultural crops. It does not feed on terrestrial plants, does not damage field crops, and has no relation to plant pathology.

The biological life cycle of the spiny dogfish is strictly linked to the marine environment. It is an ovoviviparous species with a gestation period lasting up to two years, making it one of the slowest-reproducing fish species.

Therefore, mentions of the dogfish in the context of entomology or garden pest control are scientific errors resulting from linguistic confusion with local weed names.

The spiny dogfish poses absolutely no threat to agricultural crops, fruit trees, or grain fields.

It dwells in the water column and feeds on fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, lacking the functional anatomy required to process plant material.

The only damage it could potentially cause to the agricultural sector is limited to the fishing industry, where sharks may damage nets or compete for commercial fish stocks.

No symptoms of plant injury, such as those caused by insects or rodents, are ever associated with this species.

Agronomists should not be concerned about this species when developing plant protection strategies, as it is not a component of the agro-ecosystem.

Protection measures against the spiny dogfish in agriculture are unnecessary because this object is not a biological risk factor for crops.

If you encounter information regarding the need to "control" dogfish in your garden, this indicates misinformation or confusion with pests affecting the Brassicaceae family (such as flea beetles).

In case of infestation of cabbage or mustard crops, it is recommended to use standard insecticides or agrotechnical methods to control actual insect pests.

There are no chemical or biological products against spiny dogfish intended for garden or field use.

To prevent crop losses, always rely on professional pest reference guides relevant to your specific region and crop type.